WELLSVILLE - Gordon L Cook, loving husband, father and
longtime resident of Wellsville, NY passed away peacefully on March 27, 2020 at
the age of 92. Gordon was born in Roseville, PA to Orin & Marie Cook on
April 3, 1927. He is survived by his
wife Anna Cook of Genesee PA, a sister Beverly Stockman (Ralph) of Wellsville,
NY, two daughters, Diann Potter (William) of Genesee PA and Kandy Flynn of Fort
Collins, CO; a son Gordon Cook II of Wellsville, NY and six grandchildren
including Nicholas Flynn (Bethany) of Curwensville, PA and Stephanie Chu
(Colin) of Fort Collins, CO and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased
by his father, mother, and sister Marjorie (Howard) Thompson of Bradford PA.
Gordon served in the Navy during WW2, attained the rank of
Gunners Mate 2nd, and served aboard the CVB Franklin D Roosevelt aircraft
carrier. He was the last surviving member of the group who established the
American Legion of Ulysses PA. He had a
wide and varied career including 20+ years at Air Preheater Corp (Wellsville
NY) and was in sales all of his life including real estate. He joked that there was very little he hadn’t
sold at one time or another.
He had a big heart and went out of his way to help people
whenever he could. He was never happier
than when he was visiting with friends or strangers and had an extraordinary
ability to listen and draw people out. I think they could instinctively know
that he could be trusted, wouldn’t judge, and would keep their confidence. He often spoke of his friends who gathered
weekly for coffee and shared their thoughts and company. Members of their group came and went but he
loved them all as brothers. He worried
about bothering or inconveniencing others but was always there to help however
he could. I am absolutely certain he has
gone to a better place than he has ever known. It’s a sad thing to have to say
goodbye but we will see him again and that reunion will be a joyous occasion.
There will be no service at his request. He has asked his family and friends to gather
at a later time of their choosing to remember him and the life he lived. Memorials can be made in his name to the
charity of your choice.