Harvey G. Cocks Jr.

Harvey G. Cocks Jr. (Harvey Collins), Fort Wayne's greatest showman, playwright, theatre historian, Tony Award nominee, and past Executive/Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Youtheatre, took his final bow at Stillwater Hospice on March 31, 2022, with his children by his side. He was 96. Born over a butcher shop in Glen Cove, Long Island on April 3, 1925, Harvey's childhood was spent moving across the country with his father who was a promoter for Paramount Pictures. Dubbed "the boy on the box" he spent his free time sitting on a box in the wings with the performers. Among his earliest friends were Al Jolson, Bob Hope, Cab Calloway, and Bing Crosby who took him for one of his first haircuts. Harvey graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne in 1943 and soon after hopped a train to New York City for the lights of Broadway. With luck on his side, he was booked into a Broadway show within days of his arrival. Broadway acting credits include roles in Life with Father (Clarence/John), As the Girls Go, I'll Take the High Road and Bright Boy. He was a featured actor in summer stock productions in Cape May, NJ, Fairhaven, MA, and New London, NH. Radio and TV credits include The Ann Delafield Hour, The Daniels Family, Studio One, Robert Montgomery Presents, Places Please, and The Aldrich Family. Harvey returned to Fort Wayne in 1967 to manage Quimby Village (Clyde Theatre, Village Bowl, and Stage Door Lounge) with his father. Never losing his love for the stage, he became active in the Fort Wayne theatre community both as an actor and director at the Civic Theatre, Arena Dinner Theatre, First Presbyterian Theater, and the IPFW Theatre. In 1978 Harvey became the Executive/Artistic Director of the Fort Wayne Youtheatre, a position he held until 2010. He served as Artist-in-Residence until his death. He was passionate about working with children and introducing them to all aspects of the theatre. He measured his success by counting how many of his students grew into confident young adults and not by the number who became stars. Harvey was a proud U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War where he served in Europe. He is survived by his children, Ann Cocks of Middle Haddam, CT, Christopher A. Cox of Fort Wayne, niece Dana McCormick (Brooke Wiseman) of Woodridge, IL; nephew, Kevin McCormick (Twyla) of South Bend, IN; niece, Peggy Hanson-(Duane)Hartmann of Elgin, IL; and nephews, Ed Hanson of MI, Larry Hanson, Chris Hanson, and Philip Hanson all of IL. He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Jean Hanson-Cocks; his sister, Jane McCormick; niece, Kim McCormick; nephews, Brian McCormick, and Tommy Hanson; and his parents, Harvey G. Cocks Sr., and Ray Helen (Drugan) Cocks.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 8, 2022 at First Missionary Church, 701 W. Rudisill Blvd. Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also take place from 2-5 and 7-9 PM on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at D.O McComb and Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave. Fort Wayne. Burial in Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, especially Bonnie, Tiffany, Joy, and Chaplain Kris, as well as the staff of Stillwater Hospice, for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, Harvey asked that donations in his memory go to the Fort Wayne Youtheatre so that all children can have the opportunity to experience the magic of theatre. Break a leg, Harvey!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Harvey's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com