DONALD COOK

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DONALD COOK It is with great sadness that the family of Don Cook advises that Don has lost his brief battle with cancer on December 18, 2011. Predeceased by his father Harold in 1996, Don is survived by his partner Val, his mother Sophie, brother Warren (Kathy), sister Sandy (Bill), nieces Kristina (Bart), Cheryl, and nephew Dale. Don had the wonderful distinction of also being a Gr-uncle to Aslin, Anna, Julia and Will; who will all miss him greatly. Also sharing in this loss are cousins Bill (Liz) Cook, Cheryl (John) Reid, Bonnie (Tom) Payne, close family friend Karen Flanagan, and numerous other relatives. Don was born in Edmonton on June 19, 1949. The family settled in Windsor Park and he attended his high school years at Windsor Park Collegiate. Social gatherings at the neighbourhood Jolly Mug in the late 1960s resulted in establishing strong bonds of friendships that lasted throughout his adult life. These friendships became quite evident with tremendous support during his final year of battling the disease. Although Don held a teaching degree in Industrial Arts, his love and talent for auto body work paved the way to his profession with cars. He established a highly successful, independent custom auto body and painting business on his acreage. Don Cookie made many friendships within local car clubs and affiliates within the auto body community. He was a member of Road Masters Car Club during which time he developed a love for restoring cars, especially 1955 Chevys, and received awards for his labour of love. Don's popular pastime activities were guitar playing, hockey, boating, snowmobiling and model airplanes. For the past three years, however, golfing with his friends and partner Val became one of his favourite outings, and he became one of the Blue Bombers' most ardent fans. Although his illness caused him to slow down, Cookie was still able to enjoy the peace and tranquility of his acreage. It was a love he shared with Val, a guardian angel who stood by him and provided care and companionship to the end. The family would like to thank all his health caregivers at the St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit and especially to Olga at the W.R.H.A. Palliative Care Program. A celebration of life for Cookie will be held at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place and interment will occur at a later date. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2011