Robert J. Cook

Robert J. Cook, 85, resident of Amherst, NH died on May 27, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Beverly, MA on February 10, 1932, a son of Albert E. and Amy E. (Gates) Cook formerly of England. He made his home in Amherst since 1981 and formerly lived in Kennebunk, ME and Hopkinton, MA. He loved New England; exploring it on many trips with family to the mountains or the seashore, especially to Star Island at the Isles of Shoals. Mr. Cook was employed as a Business Manager at St Sebastian’s Country Day School in Newton, MA and as an accountant in the shoe, banking and stone industries for many years. While living in Hopkinton, MA, he served on the town’s Water Board. He retired in 2006. He was a lifelong Episcopalian, serving in the church in many capacities. While living in Hopkinton he was a member and treasurer of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. He was a longtime member, former treasurer, and a member of the choir of the Church of Our Saviour (COOS) in Milford, NH. He served on an Accounting Committee for the New Hampshire Episcopal Church. In addition, he was a member of the Messiah Sing Group, Mont Vernon, NH. Boy Scouting was a lifelong passion of his. While overseas he helped with a French Boy Scout troop, he was active in the Boston Boy Scout Council and represented NH Boy Scout Council at COOS. He was a member of the Joseph Webb Lodge A.F. and A.M., Boston, MA. Following his retirement, Mr. Cook volunteered at Lull Farm in Milford, where he enjoyed talking with customers and answering their many gardening questions. He was a Korean War Era veteran having served in the U.S. Army and N.A.T.O.in the 1950s in France and was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Corporal. Family members include his wife with whom he would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on July 10th, Marolyn A. (Olson) Cook of Amherst; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert A. and Bonita Cook of Portsmouth, NH; two daughters, Amy M. Cook and Julie L. Cook, both of Manchester, NH; two grandchildren, Ian and Evan Cook of Portsmouth, NH; two sisters, Betty Straus of Cincinnati, OH, Joan Morse and her husband, David of Wells, ME; many nieces and nephews; and cousins in England. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held on June 9th at 1:00 pm at the Church of Our Saviour, 10 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Star Island Corporation www.starisland.org or to your local Boy Scout Troop.