William Ronald Cooke

In his 95th year, peacefuly at Southlake Hospital in Newmarket, on Saturday May 4, 2013, surrounded by his family. Ron was predeceased in 1997 by Maggie, his much-loved wife of 54 years. He will be keenly missed by his three children, Susan Kitto (Rick), Jan Cooke (Eric Poirier), and Tom Cooke (Piri Pandy) and by his grandchildren Karen Kitto (Mike Collins) & Rob Kitto, Simon, Patrick & Emily Cooke-Poirier, and Davey, Duncan & Gena Cooke. He took delight in his great-grandchildren Jelena, Sadie, Marie-Jane, Charlie, Sara-Jade and Maya. Mourned by his loving companion Tibbie Brooks. Survived by his older sisters Mary Miles and Betty Shier and his sister-in-law Dorothy Cooke, and predeceased by his sister Margaret Hamilton and brother George Cooke. After rising through the ranks to become a naval gunnery Officer during the war (providing musical fodder for decades to come), Ron graduated in 1951 from the University of Toronto in Forestry. He worked as a forester in Longlac for 14 years, where Ron and Maggie raised their three children. A move to Timmins in 1964 saw Ron working for Sun Life, a career that drew upon his considerable skill connecting with people. Retiring in 1987, Ron and Maggie headed south to Keswick to be nearer to their family. Ron loved the great outdoors and spent countless hours walking in the bush and paddling the North's lakes and rivers. He was a reader and a grammarian with a flawless ear for the English language and its subtleties, particularly when they could be exploited to humourous end. Many thanks to the wonderful palliative care staff at Southlake Hospital, and to Ron’s extraordinary caregivers Dave, Vala, Emma, Maria, Georgina and Mark. A celebration of Ron's life will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Keswick United Church (177 Church St., Keswick) at 4:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 3:00 pm and a reception to follow. Funeral arrangements entrusted to M.W. Becker Funeral Home, 905 476 7711. If desired, donations to the Keswick United Church or the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation would be appreciated by the family.