BX December 19, 1941
War Veteran Dies Suddenly – John Cook Passes – Was Very Well Known in City
Death came with shocking suddenness Thursday afternoon to John Cook, beloved husband of Alice Margaret Lewis, and one of Brantford’s best known and most popular war veterans. Mr. Cook a valued employee of the Cockshutt Plow Company and President of the Cockshutt Ex-Service Men’s Association, had accompanied a truck to Trinity Church Parish Hall, to get chairs to take to the Canadian Legion Hall where the Association was to hold a Christmas event in the evening. Arriving at the hall, he complained of being ill and asked to be driven to his home, 254 Grand River Avenue, but expired before he reached there. Death was due to a heart seizure.
Few veterans in Brantford were more active in the promoting of war work, or in advancing the interests of men who served in the First Great War. Besides his activities in the Cockshutt Association he was a member of the Executive of the Brantford Overseas Artillery Association, and at the time of his death was Chairman of the Committee charged with the raising of funds for war services.
Born in Paisley, Scotland, he came with his parents to Brantford when a boy in his teens.
He enlisted for active service in the First Great War on February 11, 1916 with the 54th Battery here, proceeded to England and later to France, where he served with the 5th Canadian Divisional Corps, 13th Brigade, C.F.A., until the end of the war. He returned to civilian life after being demobilized in June 1919.
Surviving besides his widow, are one son, Leslie D. Cook, this city, and his father, David J. Cook, also of this City.
Mr. Cook is resting at the McCleister Funeral Home until Sunday afternoon when the funeral service will be held. Rev. John Kelman, Minister of Central Presbyterian Church and Padre of the Brantford Branch of the Canadian Legion, will officiate at the service which will be attended by the members of the Cockshutt Ex-Service Men’s Association and the Brantford Overseas Artillery Association. Interment will be in the Soldiers Plot at Mount Hope Cemetery.
BX December 22, 1941
John Cook
Friends and relatives in large numbers paid their last tribute of respect to the memory of the late John Cook at the funeral service conducted at the McCleister Funeral Home, 48 Brant Avenue, Sunday afternoon. Rev. John Kelman of Central Presbyterian Church was in charge of the service and brought a message of comfort and inspiration to the bereaved family. Familiar and well-loved hymns were played during the service. The profusion of beautiful floral tributes marked the high esteem in which the late Mr. Cook was held, and the popularity he enjoyed among his associates in military and industrial circles.
Representatives from many organizations were present including President Ray Mann, Vice-President Harold Col, and Secretary Ernest Chevens of the Overseas Artillery Association; J. McIntosh Tutt of the Brantford Citizens’ War Services; President J.A.D. Slemin of the Canadian Legion; Vice-President Charles Webber and Secretary Robert Richardson of the Cockshutt Ex-Service Men’s Association, of which organization Mr. Cook was President at the time of his death. Alderman A.J. Pennell also was in attendance, as was Flying Officer Charles Lawie, Toronto, a close friend for many years.
The flower-bearers were Judd Emmott, Harry Gabriel, Harold Cole, Robert Farnworth, Percy Springle and Herbert Grand. The flag-draped casket was borne to its last resting place in the Soldiers’ Plot at Mount Hope Cemetery by Alfred Bowtle, Arthur Davies, Verne Cook, representing the Overseas Artillery Association, and Charles Webber, Robert Richardson and Joseph Heys of the Cockshutt Ex-Service Men’s Association. A guard of honor at the cemetery consisted of James Green, Herman Fogal, Fred Stowe, Joseph Martin, Walter Farnworth, George Beeching, Arthur Deacon, Bob Robb, Richard James, Edward Collett, Harry Papple and Ernest Hayward, of Cockshutt’s Ex-Service Men’s Association and Alex Webster, Jesse Smith, Jack Smith, Ernest Chevens, Eric Prime, Maurice Ellis, Harry Twidale, Arthur Menhennet, Ted Silverthorne, G.C. (Pat) Moffat, Lloyd Tomlinson and Clifford Webber, from the Overseas Artillery Association.
The Last Post was sounded by Bugler E. Groulx, of the 2nd Battalion, Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada.
