Obituary of Howard Clifford COOK, BEM, CD

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Cook; beloved father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. Howie passed away in Calgary, the city of his birth, on April 22nd, 2011. Howie lived a life of purpose, passion, and commitment to his country and family. At sixteen years of age, Howie enlisted in the Canadian Militia, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and in 1939 entered the Canadian Active Service Force. He was a veteran paratrooper and career military man of thirty-one years; serving in WW II, the Korean War, UN peacekeeper in the Middle East and as a member of the 1948 Cannon Turner rescue mission. Howards military decorations included the British Empire Medal (BEM), Canadian Voluntary Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45, Korea Medal, United Nations Service Medal, United Nations Emergency Force Medal, and the Canadian Forces Decoration with Clasp (CD). In 1946 Howard was awarded the symbol P as one of Canadas first Qualified Parachutists. After his retirement, he was Commanding Officer of the 2551 Canadian Airborne Cadet Corps in Edmonton. He concluded his military involvement as Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the 745 Edmonton Communication Squadron. Howie was an avid sportsman, loyal friend, mentor and dedicated family man known for his generosity, kindness and patriotism. Howie was a committed believer in Christ and an ardent follower of the 100 Huntley Street Mission. We are going to miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife, Cecile Bielech-Cook; sons Raymond (Harriet), Donald (Jennifer), David (Angeline); daughter Lorraine; grandchildren, Amanda (Lyndon), Geoffrey (Vanessa), Samantha (Henry), Andrew, Matthew (Becky), Rory, Adrienne, Anthony, Peter and Emily; as well as great-grandchildren: Nathan, Bradon, Joshua, Callie, Elijah, Isaiah, Nevaeh, Evie and Abby. Howard was predeceased by his first wife Blanche, his daughter Mariette Cook-Moore (Steve), brothers Blair and Doug, and sister Nina Cook. Friends and relatives are invited to a Memorial Service and Celebration of Howards Life at the First Alliance Church, 12345 - 40th Street S.E., Calgary, on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made in Howards name, directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Signals Museum in Kingston, ON (https//www.c-and-e-museum.org/about_e1.htm), or Crossroads Christian Communications, PO Box 5100, 1295 North Service Rd., Burlington, ON L7R 4M2 Tel. 1-800-265-3100.