DONALD ISAAC COOK -

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DONALD ISAAC COOK 1922 - 2011 We are saddened to announce the passing of Donald Isaac Cook peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital on January 11, 2011. Dad was born November 22, 1922 and is survived by his wife Muriel of 62 years, three sons and their wives Bruce and Janet, Malcolm and Janie, Hugh and Arlene and grandchildren Fraser, Kathleen, and Lauren. He was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Margaret Cook of Dugald, MB., his sister Sheila and brother Neil. He leaves his other sisters and their husbands Peggy and Russell MacKay of Dugald, Marjorie and Ray Claydon of Monominto, and Isabel and Ken Meiklejohn of Winnipeg as well as brother-in-law Ed Barham of Pinawa and sister-in-law Ramona Cook of Nanaimo. Dad grew up on the family farm at Dugald prior to volunteering with the 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. He trained as a gunner on a self-propelled gun prior to landing in France on Juno Beach on D-Day, 1944. He was wounded on July 28, 1944 and was brought back to Winnipeg where he spent nine months in Deer Lodge Hospital. With Mom's support, Dad upgraded his schooling and entered the University of Manitoba Faculty of Agriculture graduating in 1952 as Senior Stick of his class. Dad made many friends while attending University leading to lifetime friendships. Dad had a lifelong interest in learning, particularly in Agriculture. His career development included employment with Canada Packers and Feed-Rite Mills prior to starting his own business Managra Consultants and developing the family farm at Ridgeville through to his retirement. Dad worked with his sons farming and found tremendous enjoyment in adapting to new trends in farming including growing special crops such as canola, corn, and seeding zero-till winter wheat more than 30 years ago. Dad served as Registrar of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists until deafness prevented him from continuing. He was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. Following retirement, Dad and Mom enjoyed frequent short drives into rural Manitoba allowing him to do his much loved crop checks and an opportunity to look at farm equipment. Dad's family was very important to him. His 62 year marriage to Mom was happy and loving. He gained great joy from participating in the development of his grandchildren. He enjoyed family get-togethers and in particular enjoyed Mom's birthday party this past summer. Following the party he said to Mom that we needed to get the next party planned. Dad always loved the renewal of friendships and camaraderie of these gatherings. A Memorial Service will be held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery) on Monday, January 17th at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations may be made in Dad's memory to the Parkinson's Society Manitoba 7-414 Westmount Drive, Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2. NEIL BARDAL INC. FUNERAL CENTRE (204) 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2011