Thomas F. Cooke

Royalston – Thomas F. Cooke, 81, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at  Quabbin Valley Healthcare.      Tom was born in Athol, Massachusetts March 21, 1929, the son of Harold D. and Florence E. (Freitag) Cooke.  He grew up in Athol and Brooklyn, NY, graduating from Athol High School in 1947.  In his earlier years he worked on the family farm in Athol, before moving to New Jersey in 1957, were he lived until his retirement.  He eventually moved to Wilmington, VT for several years before making a permanent home in Royalston.      Tom worked as a technician for Exxon-Mobil Research for 35 years until his retirement.  His work took him to many parts of the world and aboard many ships.  He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and G.O.A.L. (Gun Owner Action League of Massachusetts). Local membership in Woodsman’s Pistol Club, Petersham, Royalston and Winchendon Gun Clubs.  Tom was a very active trap shooter and avid reloader, participating in many rifle and police revolver competitions, winning many trophies through the years in the Sharpshooter Class in the Northern New Jersey Police Revolver League.  He enjoyed his family and in his retirement years he especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter Isabella.      Tom leaves three sons and a daughter; Robert R. Cooke and his wife Carolyn of Springfield, VA, Donald O. Cooke and his wife Millie of Wakefield, MA, and Jeffrey K. Cooke and his wife Cindy of Orange and Roberta M. LeBlanc and her husband Paul of Gardner, MA.  He also leaves a sister, Marilyn F. Carlon of Parkville, MD; a step-daughter, Dawn Peters and her husband Greg of Kenai, AK; ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.      Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at Silver Lake Cemetery in Athol (main entrance off Silver Lake St.) at the resting place of his second wife, Frances (Cook) Cooke of Athol.  The Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, pastor of the Athol Congregational Church will officiate.  There are no calling hours and in lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });