William John Cook

Our Dad was born on January 13th, 1934 to Samuel and Gertie. Dad was a good provider to his family. He was a trapper, fisherman, hunter, logger, farmer, and a store keeper for the late Nick O’Hyrn. At one time he held a position as a band councillor for Shoal River. He enjoyed his visits with his old buddies late Solomon Bourassa, Bruce Kematch, Allen Kematch, Joe Genaille, William and Flora Campeau. He loved telling old stories to whomever would listen to him especially his son in law Hammer Brass. He was an avid square dancer back in the day. Dad and mom married on February 23rd, 1954 and together they had 16 children. They loved to pick blueberries every summer together. He enjoyed his daily visits with his friend Robert Brass till he fell ill. Dad was at the Swan River Hospital for over a month and he then relocated to Benito Care Home for a period of 9 months and again he relocated to Swan Valley Lodge of August 2023 where he remained until his passing. He was always a very busy man waiting for spiring to make maple syrup, picking sweetgrass at fall, found ways to keep himself busy. Our dad will be sadly missed by his family.

John is survived by his brothers; Sydney (Shirley), Irvin Cook, Duncan Copapay, sisters; Cecilia Quill, Emma Jane (Nicholson) Cook, Theresa (Thomas) Catcheway, by his children; Priscilla (George) Brass, Earl (Donna) Cook, Barbara Cook, Zelda (David) Gott, Doris (Abel) Cook, Michael Cook, George Cook, Maragret Cook, Joseph Cook, Elizabeth (Sheldon) Cook, Sabrina (Christopher) Cook, as well as 46 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. As well as many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

John was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Gertie (Kematch) Cook-Copapay, brother Joseph Fred Cook, sisters; Sarah Jane Cook and Marie Personius, his daughter Rosemarie Cook, sons; Douglas, Ephrem, Wilmur and two baby boys. Father and mother in law David and Flora Campeau, brother in laws; Alfred Campeau, Edward Campeau, John (Betsy) Campeau, Joe (Bella) Campeau, William (Flora) Campeau, Clemmie (Alice) Campeau, Clarence (Frances) Campeau, and Wilson Quill. Sister in laws; Miriam (Sternie) Kematch, Lydia (Tony) Genaille, Annie (Jim) Sanderson, and Georgina Campeau. Grandchildren; Corliss Cook, Jeremiah Bourassa, and Preston Ross, great-grandhcildren; Deanna Munro and Dylan Munro, daughter in law Elsie Daniels and son in law James Bourassa.