Whitman – Joseph C.V. Cooke, 86 a longtime resident of Whitman, died peacefully in his home on Sunday December 28. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to Kathryn T. (Healy) Cooke.
Born in the town of Shediac in New Brunswick, Canada he was the son of the late Arthur and Lena (McEncrowe) Cooke, and remains a longtime and familiar face of the community where he still owned and returned to his family home each year.
Joseph had been raised in Taunton and was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force having served for over 20 years, retiring in 1966 and moving to Whitman. He then worked for over 19 years for the GSA.
As a longtime resident of Whitman, Joseph was a member of the VFW and an active communicant of the Holy Ghost Church where he served as Eucharist Minister and devoted many hours volunteering with the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Whitman Food Pantry.
He enjoyed golfing but his greatest joy was the time spent surrounded by his large family.
In addition to his wife Kathryn, he is survived by his loving family, Joseph Cooke, Jr. and Connie Hurwitz of Yarmouth Port, Peg Donaher and her husband Steve of Plymouth, Paul Cooke and his wife Kim of Washington, Richard Cooke and his wife Terrie of New Mexico, Christopher Cooke and his wife Lisa of Hanson, Kenneth Cooke and his wife Jennifer of Centerville, Teresa Almond and her husband Jamie of Whitman and Barry Cooke and his wife Stephanie of Carver, his sister Florence Mills and her husband Gordon of Ohio. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren his many nieces and nephews and his lifelong friend Bud Melanson of New Brunswick. He was predeceased by his brothers James, Thomas and Donald and his sister Edith Benton.
His service will be held Friday January 2 at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral Mass at 9 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow at 12:45 PM in the Mass National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be held Thursday January 1 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM.
Donations in his name may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society or the Whitman Food Pantry Both C/O Holy Ghost Church, Whitman.