Not only does he umpire cricket matches as an almost full-time occupation, he is also an inventor and general man-about-the-house for elderly people in Auckland.
Mr Hooke is in Central Otago this week for the 13th Golden Oldies World Cricket festival in Queenstown.
While he does not do as much umpiring as he used to, Mr Hooke can still foot it with the best and he was out on the pitch controlling a game in Cromwell on Wednesday.
He was also enjoying spending some time in Queenstown, where he spent his honeymoon in 1945.
‘‘The old hotel called The Mountaineer where we stayed was just pulled down recently,'' he said.
Born in 1921, in Christchurch, Mr Hooke has always loved sport.
His interest in umpiring began 37 years ago, after a degenerative back disease caused him to give up playing.
He is careful about what he eats and he enjoys a good salad and fruit.
The friendly games being played by the Golden Oldies were fun to umpire and Mr Hooke said he was not too strict on the players.
‘‘But we still have to follow the law,'' he said.
He enjoys the camaraderie between players, especially after the game.
He has been recognised by many cricket groups in Auckland and enjoys meeting them and sometimes going on tour.
He recalled when he was in England, where he spent 20 years, how he wanted to join the Old Actonians but he was told the social side was closed.
‘‘The chap behind me said ‘you don't umpire do you?' and from then on I was in,'' he said, chuckling.
He is working on a ‘‘secret' project to do with lasers which could revolutionise the way umpires make lbw calls.
‘‘You know, there's not just cricket all around the world, but think of the Americans and their love of baseball. I'm sure this could be adjusted to work with the plate in baseball just as well.
