COSSART, Noel
Noël Bianchi Cossart, who was known as 'Jimmy', was born on the Island of Madeira on 29 March 1907, son of Charles Blandy Cossart (1 June 1876-27 June 1925) and his wife Maria Anna das Mercês Bianchi (28 November 1890-8 May 1959). On the death of his father in 1925, he joined the firm of Cossart, Gordon & Co., which for more than 150 years were the largest and most important producer of Madeira wine and managed the firm from 1936 until he sold its assets to the Madeira Wine Association in 1953. Noel continued to play an active role in marketing of Cossart, Gordon wines and was co-author of a book on the wine, 'Madeira, The Island Vineyard' (1984). He married firstly in 1936 in the Cathedral of the Capital of Madeira, Funchal, Kathleen Florence Gradidge (12 November 1905-12 April 1985), and their son was David Cossart, the marriage was dissolved in 1951. Noel married secondly at Westminster, London, Mary Patricia Potter (4 October 1926-) and lived at Pockford Lodge, Chiddingford, Surrey, their daughter was Anna Frances Maria Cossart (born 1957). Noel was a member and exhibitor at the Beccles Society of Artists. Noel Cossart died at 3 Glebe Close, Aldbourne, Marlborough, Wiltshire on 7 November 1987.