Philip Alton Cook Sr.

Philip A. Cook, at the age of 101, passed away peacefully at Birchwood Assisted Living in Portland, Maine. He was born in Calais, Maine on October 19, 1918 to John Alton and Cecile (Clark) Cook. Phil graduated from Calais Academy in 1936, followed by his departure from Calais in 1937 to join a major retail chain in Fall River, Mass. There he met “his million dollar baby at the 5&10 cent store”. He and Ruth Griffin married in April, 1942. During their 62 years together, they had five children, Philip, Carol (George) Mayle, Robert (Poppy), Judith and Cynthia (Gary) Hawkes; four grandchildren, Jennifer Cook, Stephanie (Eric) Sousa, Chris and Philip Cook and four great grandchildren, Will, Alex, Chloe and Noelle, whom they loved dearly. He also leaves behind Faith Rogers, his beloved companion of 15 years, and her extended family.

Phil stayed in the Boston area with the retail chain, managing multiple stores until his career was interrupted by his service in the US Army Air Corp from 1942 to 1945. He graduated from Moody Field, GA as a pilot and proudly flew B-17s during his tour, including flying with his crew to England and back. Phil returned to the retail chain as a store manager and was promoted to the Portland store in 1956. It was during this period that Phil decided to start his own store, the Gray Thrift Shop. The next year, he was joined by a partner, Stanley Sampson; the two had a very successful partnership for 25 years running the Casco County Stores and being members of the Cumberland Wholesalers. Stanley retired in 1982 and Phil in 1988, but the Cooks continued to operate the stores as Ace Hardware until 2017. Phil was also a founding member and President of the Gray Plaza Shopping Center, which grew from a two unit to 16 unit center during his tenure.

Phil was an active member of North Deering Congregational Church, Woodfords Club, Triangle Lodge No 1 A.F and A.M, the Scottish Rite Valley of Portland and Riverside Golf Club. He was a past member of Kora Temple, Lewiston, Portland Country Club, Fairlawn Country Club, Poland and Portland Masonic Club. He also enjoyed his past membership in the Lake Bernadette Golf Club and the Wimbledon Greens HOA during the 10 years he and Ruth spent their winters in Zephyrhills, Fl. After Ruth passed away in 2004, Phil returned to Florida to Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, where he proudly shot his age.

He will be sorely missed by his loving family, for whom he was always a guiding force and an involved parent. His favorite activity was spending time with friends and family.

The family of Philip Cook would like to extend a special thank you to staff and friends at the Birchwood and to the Northern Light Hospice for their loving care and support. Funeral services will be held by Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Gray Fire and Rescue and Northern Light Hospice, South Portland.