Arthur Gordon Edward Cook

It is with incredible gratitude and sadness that we reflect on the life of our loving father, brother, and husband, Gord Cook, who passed away on May 14, 2023, surrounded by his family, after a short but ferocious battle with cancer. Gord was born in Vancouver on July 12, 1957, to Thomas (d. 1983) and Audrey (d. 2015) Cook. He will be sorely missed by his three children, Andrew (Antonia Musso), Jeff (Amy Landsiedel), and Carly, as well as his beloved grandchildren Kali and Jake, stepson Blake Parkinson, brothers Phil (Cynthia Melosky d.2018) and Pat (Fanta Sow Cook), and sisters Terry (Brian) Hillhouse and Jo-Anne Cook (Mike Carthy). In 2017, Gord married the love of his life, Sandy Parkinson, who has made Gord’s final years as memorable as any.

Always one for adventure, Gord graduated early from Magee High School in 1975 to go forest fire fighting in Whistler before setting out on a solo trip across Canada with his beloved dog, Flame. Later, he graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce and became a designated Chartered Accountant in 1984. Gord had a strong drive and passion for his work. Over his career, he helped many companies become better at what they do, using his intelligence and creative thinking to add value to their business. He selflessly volunteered his time, spending 10 years as a Director for the Vancouver International Marathon Society and sitting on the BC Epilepsy Society board. Gord also used his drive and passion to become an endurance athlete, completing 15 Ironman triathlons and 23 marathons.

Gord had an unrelenting quest for knowledge, never afraid to ask questions and always learning. He had a quick wit and could always be relied on to lighten the room with his humour. Over the last few years, he renewed his love of photography, using that same drive and passion to become an award-winning photographer. Gord saw beauty in places that many of us overlooked, and he has left us with thousands of photos (some of which can be seen at www.gordcookphotography.com), including his national award-winning Fairy Lake bonsai tree picture. Gord was also recently awarded with a Canadian Association for Photographic Art award for his contributions to his photography club.

Gord loved wine, barbecues, and above all, music. He was the self-appointed DJ everywhere he went and loved his music upbeat and loud. His house was always filled with love, laughter, and great songs. Gord was a truly unique individual, sometimes misunderstood, but always striving to do the right thing and make people laugh. There will never be another quite like him.

A farewell to Gord will be hosted on Thursday, June 1, from 1pm-5pm at the North Vancouver Shipyards – 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver. Gord asked that his life be celebrated rather than mourned. The family would also like to thank the staff at the North Shore Hospice and Lions Gate Hospital palliative wing for their care during Gord's final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Tom and Audrey Cook Youth Development Memorial fund at the YMCA of Vancouver. The fund is in memory of Gord’s late mother and father and helps provide access to programs for children-in-need. Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.gv.ymca.ca/tom-and-audrey-cook-youth-development-fund.

This is not goodbye, or the end

Let me tell you my friend

I’ll keep you forever in my heart

Till I see you again

May our song never end

Till then remember this is not goodbye