THE wife of a Farnham postman has thanked the Royal Surrey and Frimley Park hospitals for the “wonderful” care of her husband prior to his death.

Terry Cooper, who delivered mail to Echo Barn Lane for many years in the 1980s and 90s, died aged 70 on March 30 at the Royal Surrey County Hospital after a long illness.

His wife Julia, 70, said: “Terry received top quality care from magnificent experts and I want people to know how fortunate we are to have such wonderful hospitals at our service.

“The Royal Surrey County Hospital’s intensive care unit and Onslow Ward in particular have been so caring with our family and talked to us step-by-step.

“From the nurses through to the specialists, the whole team work wonders and it has been a wonderful experience despite the sadness.”

Julia and Terry first met at a dance in Aldershot in the 1960s and married at Aldershot Catholic Church in 1969.

They later bought their family home in Alma Lane and have two sons, Alex, now 46, and Miguel, 42, as well as two grandchildren, Hannah, 19, and Anthony, 21.

Julia continued: “Terry first fell ill in mid-2013 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He was treated beautifully and it was something of a mystery when his cancer went into remission with very little treatment - it amazed everyone, including the doctors.

“But it came back earlier this year and every treatment failed. The hospital extended his life tremendously and he couldn’t have had any better treatment.”

Terry also worked as a floor layer earlier in his life. However, Julia said the Royal Mail was “the love of his life” and he worked as a postman for almost 20 years before retiring in the early 2000s.

She added he was also a regular of the Hale & Heath End Working Men’s Club. Terry’s funeral took place on April 14 at Aldershot Crematorium.