RALPH LEWIS COOK

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RALPH LEWIS COOK On Sunday, November 4, 2001, Ralph Lewis Cook died in hospital in Yorkton, SK, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 73 years of age. Ralph was born to Frank and Lottie Cook in Swan River, MB, on April 13, 1928, grew up in the Harlington District, and later moved with his parents into Swan River. In 1946, with the support of his father, Ralph, and brother, Les, he purchased their first gravel truck, shoveling and hauling loads of gravel with a vision of a promising future, which evolved into the business now known as Cook Bros. Cartage Ltd. Over the years, Ralph fulfilled many gravel crushing contracts with the Department of Highways and municipalities in the Parkland area and the Swan River Valley. Winter months were spent trucking logs to Spruce Products Ltd. He took pride in his work and eventually had the satisfaction of bringing his two sons into the business. He was a member of the MHCA (Manitoba Heavy Construction Association) and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39. He married Grace Chess on September 15, 1959 and they were blessed with three children. Ralph was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles. He also took much pleasure in the outdoors and fishing. A quiet, sensitive family man, he had a wonderful sense of humour and liked to tease on occasion. His grandchildren were the light of his life and he looked forward to sharing weekends and summer holidays with them. In addition to his loving wife, Grace, he leaves to sadly mourn his passing: his sons, Cameron (Silva) and Blair (Angela), both of Swan River; a sister Florence Kemkaran and her husband Dr. Samuel Kemkaran, of Winnipeg; son-in-law, David Johannessen, Victoria, BC; sister-in-law, Maxine Cook, Summerland, BC; Aunt Margaret Jackson, Brooks, AB; and grandchildren, Arraghan Johannessen, Victoria, BC, and Broderick and Logan Cook, Swan River. Ralph shared a special bond with his niece, Heather Kemkaran, and her beautiful little daughters, Sarah and Laura, and nephew, Dr. Ken Kemkaran, of Winnipeg. He also leaves a number of nieces, nephews and friends in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. He was predeceased by his father, Frank; his mother, Lottie; his brother, Leslie; and his beloved daughter, Karen Cook Johannessen. Reverend Kathy Highmoor conducted a private funeral service from the Family Chapel of Heritage Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, November 7. Ralph was laid to rest in the Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River. A come and go reception for family and friends followed the interment in the Heritage Rose Room at Heritage Memorial Gardens, Swan River. Ralph was a bright light in the lives of his family, who will miss his love and guidance in the years to come. "We will remember him and hold him in our hearts forever." As an expression of sympathy, family and friends may make a memorial donation in Ralphs honor to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg MB, R3C 2B7, or to the North-West Regional Library Building Fund, P. O. Box 999, Swan River, MB, R0L 1Z0. Honoured to have served the Family, Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium, 506 - 2nd St. North, Swan River MB, (204) 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2001