An MP has led tributes to a ‘popular and respected’ father who died of coronavirus within days of his daughter.
MP David Davis paid tribute to former police officer David Whincup, 79, who died after his daughter Joanne Rennison, 52, leaving behind his wife Margaret Whinchup from Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Mr Davis said: ‘David was the kindest, most thoughtful and utterly decent man I have ever had the privilege to meet.
Tributes have been paid to David Whincup, 79, and daughter Joanne Rennison (centre), 52, from Cottingham, East Yorkshire, who both passed away after contracting coronavirus leaving behind David’s wife Margaret (second on right) and his daughters Vicki (left) and Al (right)
‘He had a fantastic commitment to selfless public service, not least when serving as Chairman of the Haltemprice and Howden Conservatives. We shall all miss him greatly.’
The father and daughter’s deaths leave behind Mr and Mrs Whinchup’s two other daughters, Vicki and Al, three grandchildren, Alex, Alice and Frankie, and a son-in-law, Paul.
Remembering their father fondly, Vicki and Al described the admiration for their remarkable father who always had a smile, was full of energy, full of life, full of fun and full of love for his family.
The couple, who lived with their daughter Joanne and granddaughter Alice, a law student, were both directors of a nursery in Beverley and were known by many for their work across a variety of sectors in the region.
Mr Whinchup, who said his greatest achievement was his family, worked as a director for the Red Cross and prior to that he was a Humberside Police officer for more than 30 years.
Mr Whinchup died just days after his daughter Jo, who had multiple sclerosis, passed away after contracting Covid-19
His charity work raised thousands of pounds for causes in Hull and East Yorkshire and he supported many other charities as a founder member of Haltemprice Lions Club in 1973, serving as president four times and as secretary for a long period.
Meanwhile his daughter Ms Rennison pursued a career in hotel events management before becoming Red Cross fundraising manager.
She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 30 and the MS Society was always a focus in her fundraising efforts.
Following in his footsteps, Mr Whinchup’s grandchildren have now set up a JustGiving page in their grandad’s and auntie’s memory to raise money for the Hull, Beverley Borough and Holderness Branch of the MS Society.
They have smashed their initial target of £500 and are now pushing towards £4,000.
Mr Whincup’s funeral took place on Monday – just days after his daughter’s – at Haltemprice Crematorium and was attended by close family only, with many more following the proceedings online.
Stuart Hickson, a police colleague of David’s, said: ‘I know that in normal circumstances this building would have been full because David touched so many lives.’
The family said they are devastated by the impact coronavirus has on families but they are grateful for the special times they shared with their father and fun-loving sister .
Born in 1940, Mr Whinchup joined the police cadets after leaving school in 1956 and three years later he became a PC.
Margaret Whinchup and her husband, a former police officer and keen fundraiser, were directors of a nursery in Beverley, East Yorkshire
He embarked on many roles including detective and inspector before rising to the rank of superintendent in charge at Tower Grange police station in Hull and then at the head of the force’s HR department.
The father-of-three organised activities including police balls and band concerts and served as treasurer of the Police Sports Club from 1977 until he retired from the force in 1990.
Mr Whinchup’s fundraising skills were front and centre when he worked as director of British Red Cross in the Hull area until 1999 and when the charity made the decision to close its children’s nursery he saw an opportunity to launch Educare as a family business.
MP David Davis led tributes to the Mr Whinchup describing him as the ‘kindest, most thoughtful and utterly decent man’ he had ever met
They added extensions to the building, increasing the capacity from 24 children to the current level of around 150 and created 23 additional jobs compared to the 12 posts when they took over.
Vicki Morris, who was recently appointed as nursery director, said: ‘David was tremendously committed to the nursery, striving to develop facilities, resources and a positive and safe environment for the children.
‘He was incredibly proud of the nursery and all its achievements, always making sure staff were recognised for their hard work and dedication.
‘He will be deeply missed but the nursery will continue with all the plans which he developed with myself and our incredibly dedicated and amazing team.’
To add to his extensive fundraising efforts, Mr Whinchup also organised many dinners for Haltemprice Lions Club and his commitment helped to secure the support of many other businesses and prominent individuals as he attracted some of the biggest names in sport.
Norma Tanikal, vice-president of Haltemprice Lions, said: ‘David was a very active Lion and was responsible for the social events which raised thousands of pounds for hospital equipment and local charities.
‘He was a very popular and respected member of Haltemprice Lions and he will be sadly missed.’
To support the JustGiving appeal in memory of David and Jo click here.