BRUNSWICK – John A. Cook, 81, of Brunswick, died July 7 at Mid Coast Senior Health Center. Cook was born in Bradford, Penn. on September 29, 1930, a son of John and Bertha (Baxter) Cocco, and was raised by his adoptive parents, Michael and Louisa Cocco of Salamanca, N.Y.

Cook served in the U.S. Navy, retiring after 20 years of service that included time in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Following his retirement from the Navy, Cook worked for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in sales and security.

Cook’s passion was skiing. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, and served at mountains all over Maine. He started at Sky-Hy in Topsham, and most recently served at the Camden Snow Bowl where he was head ski patroller. He also was a certified EMT, and was a member of the American Legion, Topsham Memorial Post#202.

Cook enjoyed golfing, fishing, and playing pool. He also was an avid reader.

He lived in Brunswick from 1962 to 1999, before moving to New York. He returned to Brunswick in 2011.

Cook is predeceased by his first wife, Frances Free, who died in 1998; and his second wife, Thelma Winchell, who died in 2011.

Cook is survived by his brother, Ted Cocco, of Waldoboro; his sister, Arlene Whitney, of Woolwich; his son, Michael Cook, of Brunswick; daughter Sandy Bell, of Wiscasset; daughter Margaret Brady and her husband, Russell, of Windham; daughter Patti Pierson and her husband, Tad, of Pontoon Beach, Ill.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Cook is also survived by his companion, Kay Torrey, of Brunswick.

A memorial service was held on July 12 at the Brackett Funeral Home in Brunswick. Donations in Cook’s memory can be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105, or to the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.

Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.

Sidebar Elements

---

John Cook