ALLAN FLETCHER COOKE

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ALLAN FLETCHER COOKE It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of our dearly loved Allan Fletcher Cooke on June 18, 2007 at the Stonewall Hospital at the age of 81 years. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 56 years, Norma (nee Nickel), children, Bill (Marrie), and children, Lizzie (Colin), Maggie (Joe), Matthew; Allison (Rick Barnlund) and their children, Mike and Dan; Maureen (Albert Lohmer) and their children, Brent and Cam; Charlie (Bernadette) and their children, Gregg, Jesse, Bethany, Rebecca; and John, and two great-grandchildren, Caitlyn and Issiah. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles G. and Annie Cooke; siblings, Arthur and Faye, and grandson Kevin Allan Lohmer. Al was born and attended school in Winnipeg. He graduated in 1947 from U of M majoring in Psychology. He met Norma in 1946 and they married in 1951. Together they raised five children. Al was very involved with his family, their cottage at Betula Lake, Silver Heights United Church youth groups, and sports, namely soccer and hockey. His love of hockey began as a youth during the 1930s while playing goal for the Winnipeg Excelsiors coached by the late Vince Leah. He played senior hockey for several years before turning to coaching and participating in the Greater Winnipeg Minor Hockey system. He prepared the brief on tiered hockey, which ultimately lead to the development of AA and AAA minor hockey in St. James and Winnipeg. He coached numerous teams, both in Silver Heights and in Stonewall for over 40 years, often participating in tournament trips throughout rural Manitoba and Ontario. Over the years he maintained contact with many of his players. Al, along with Gordon Oaks and the late John Straker, was instrumental in the development of minor soccer in Winnipeg. In 1972, the family moved to Stonewall where Al's hockey and soccer interest continued. In 1973, Al and Norma began building the soccer program in Stonewall. Today, over 600 minor players participate, as well as a senior ladies' team (Stonewall Grads) and a senior mens' team (Stonewall United). These seniors teams also participate in the Manitoba and Ontario tournaments. Al and Norma created an annual mens rural tournament involving the winning team from all six regions of the province. In 2004, Al and Norma were doubly honoured when they were inducted into the Manitoba Soccer Hall of Fame and Stonewall's new soccer field was named Cooke Field . Al spent 46 years working with Investors Group. One of the highlights in the later years at Investors was his part in the establishment of the Percy Lanham Foundation which offers bursaries to post-secondary students. He grew up in a family of teachers and was a teacher and a visionary in all that he did. The family wishes to thank staff at St. Boniface and Stonewall Hospitals with special thanks to Dr. Venter, Dr. Kanji, and locally, the wonderful nurses. A celebration of Al's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 22 at MacKenzie Funeral Home in Stonewall. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Al's memory to Stonewall and District Health Centre, South Interlake Regional Library (Stonewall Branch) or a charity of your choice. He will be missed and he will be remembered. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2007