Robert J. Cook

LEOMINSTER - Robert James Cook, 80 of Jewel Drive, Leominster, died Thursday, April 10, 2008 in The Life Care Center of Leominster after a short battle with throat and liver cancer. He was born in Binghamton, NY, on June 5, 1927, the son of the late Robert H. and the late Gladys (Pawkett) Cook. He grew up in a Catholic Orphanage in New York with his brother William and sister Dorothy after their mother died in 1932. He is survived by his wife, Sandra M. (Aubuchon) Cook, one son, Michael Robert Cook, one step-daughter, Melissa Read and her husband Thomas; one step-son, Bryan Schwarzel and his wife Kerry Conway; his mother-in-law, Geraldine Aubuchon all of Leominster, two daughters from his first marriage, Sandra (Cook) Allen and her husband Ted, and Theresa (Cook) Nogueira and her husband Michael both of Fitchburg, nine grandchildren, Christopher Minor, Aislinn Conway, Declan Conway, Joseph Conway, Danielle Mallard, Alisha Allen, Mannie Nogueira, Sabrina Nogueira and Nicholas Nogueira. He is also survived by his Shih Tzu, Roxie. Mr. Cook was in the US Army for 23 years retiring in 1966. He fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam retiring as a Master Sergeant. Mr. Cook worked in the Military Graves Registration, Medical Personnel and Administration, NCO and in Social Services in East Africa. He was Section Chief on the Nike Ajax Missile Site and served in the Dental Detachment while in Germany. He received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, 2nd Class Artilleryman, and the National Defense Service Medal. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He worked at the former Parks Cramer Company in Fitchburg and was a contract worker for United Engineers at General Electric Company in Fitchburg until his retirement in 1991. He retired to be home to raise his son Michael. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11:00 am in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 13th from 5-8 p.m. in the Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.simardfuneralhome.com. Simard Funeral Home 14 Walker Street, Leominster is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });