Robert Arthur Cooke

Born in Montreal in 1934, Bob was the son of the late Dr. William Warren and Jeanne (Desnoyers) Cooke. Survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Elizabeth (Richardson), daughter Heather (Paul) Richmond of Embrun, ON, son Stephen (Jordanna Caine) of Halifax and sister Denise Vauthier of Annapolis, Md. He also leaves behind grandchildren Riley, Melina and James Richmond. He is predeceased by brothers John (Marlies) Cooke, Ottawa and Michael Cooke, QC, Halifax, and brother-in-law Philippe Vauthier, Annapolis, Md. In 1940, the Cooke family moved to Weymouth, and later Yarmouth NS. Bob graduated from Yarmouth Memorial Consolidated High School. where he was active in several sports, especially basketball and baseball.

After studying Pre-med (Physical Education) at McGill University for two years, Bob worked for K.C. Irving Ltd., in Saint John, NB and as an air traffic controller at Gander International Airport for three years. In 1959 he enrolled at Acadia University, graduating with a B.A. (major Geology) in 1962.

While at Acadia, Bob was very active with class activities, the Fletcher Geology Club and basketball. He was very honoured to be elected Life President of the Class of 1962, a position he held in high esteem until his death. He was still organizing the preparations for its 50th reunion while in hospital. After completing the Executive Officers Training Program for the Federal Civil Service in Ottawa, he worked for the Dept. of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for two years before accepting a position with Parks Canada. He worked in the department’s offices in Ottawa, Calgary and Halifax before retiring in 1991 as Chief of Realty Services for the Atlantic Region. His family has many wonderful memories of visits to Canada's beautiful parks, from Newfoundland to the Pacific Rim.

Bob was an active volunteer with the Dartmouth Commons Committee, Dartmouth Meals on Wheels (18 years) and the Dartmouth Horticultural Society (over 25 years), where he also served on the executive and entered plants in the annual flower shows.

He was a very active member of the Dartmouth Lawn Bowls Club, recently completing his term as Past President. He competed in local and provincial tournaments and represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Lawn Bowls Championships in Mixed Pairs and Senior Triples. Bob also took part in square dancing and enjoyed travelling, including post-retirement “winter escapes” with Mary to Myrtle Beach, SC and Albufeira, Portugal.

In recent years, Bob became interested in green energy research and has been actively involved in the development and implementation of tidal power in the Bay of Fundy. Visitation will be held 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM Tuesday, February 1 at A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth. Funeral service wil be held 2 PM Wednesday, February 2 at Stevens Road United Baptist Church, 2 Stevens Road, Dartmouth, Rev. Shirley DeMerchant officiating. Reception to follow in the church gymnasium. Interment at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetary.

Family flowers only, donations may be made to Bayside Camp (1503 Ketch Harbour Rd., Sambro Head, N.S., B3B 1L3, www.baysidecamp.org), Class of 1962 Fund (Acadia University Alumni Office, Wolfville, N.S. B4P 2R6, www.acadiau.ca/advancement/alumni), or any charity of choice.