Obituary of Robert Nyal COOK

June 24, 1938 – Toronto, Ontario
September 9, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Robert Nyal Cook passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the age of 83 years, surrounded by his family.
 
Bob leaves behind his wife, two children, four grandchildren, and a shed full of gadgets no one knows what to do with. Born June 24, 1938 and immediately dubbed “our favorite child” by Lena and Nyal Cook, Bob’s passing will now allow his three siblings to emerge from his shadows. 
 
From an early age, playing hockey, foreign lands and pretty girls is what captivated Bob. After a childhood spent in Ontario, Bob was seeking an adventure, so he headed west bouncing between cities and landed in Vancouver. His love of hockey still ignited, he headed to Europe (Austria) and played semi-pro in the “big leagues”. Eventually returning to Vancouver, Bob set his sights on love, locking eyes with the captivating Mary McCaw. A romance sparked and eventually turned to engagement, marriage, first baby, load up the station wagon and off to Calgary, second baby and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Bob made a career out of numbers, symbols, stocks and trades and he was so impacted by his work as a stock broker, he talked shop up until the end. No one loved a wallet like Bob.
 
Bob and Mary were lucky enough to travel the world with Adventures Abroad and Mary’s golf group Golfaround. Besides golf, Bob’s loves were coaching his kid’s sports teams, traveling the continent as their number one cheerleader, lacing up his skates and playing old-timer hockey until his recent years, scouring the city for the best Fish “n” Chips and many cherished and laughter-filled evenings with the Kingsland and Fairview Crews. He loved hitting the links and quietly asking for mulligans, summering at his happy place at White Sands at Shuswap Lake, traveling the world seeking adventures with his wife and in his golden years his greatest joy was loving and hugging his grandchildren. These are what made Bob’s heart happy. 
 
He was never one for the spotlight, but he wanted you to know that if he owes you a beer, when you find him in Heaven, he will gladly allow you to buy him another. He can likely be found playing computer solitaire, watching the golf network, keeping an eye on the stock prices or calling very early Saturday mornings to tell you about the latest deal in the Canadian Tire flyer.

Here’s to the grandest adventure of them all Bob….

While laughter is the heart of our family, hearts are still broken, in particular for his wife of fifty-three years, Mary, his son Geoff and family Joanne, Ben and Sam, his daughter Jenny and family Marek, Chase and Kate, his brother Paul (Sandy), his brother Tom (Cathy predeceased), his sister Marcy (Bruce) and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mal and Kay McCaw, along with many nieces, nephews, old hockey buddies, colleagues from his career, neighbors he’s had for decades and friendships that he cherished and loved.

If angels walk this earth, they could be found at the Southwood Care Centre, Fairview Unit. Sara, Mara, Rose, Princess, Pat and all the lovely souls in the Harmony Wing… the love you showed us and our Dad will never be forgotten. 

A private celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. If attending we encourage you to wear BRIGHT colors. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Cook's service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service.  For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. 

If you’d like to honor Bob we suggest cracking a beer, grabbing some chips and making a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB T5H 4K1.  Tel: (1-866) 950-5465,
https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en/take-action/ways-donate
 
In living memory of Bob Cook, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

Bob's memorial card can be viewed using this link

Thank you for joining us for the live-streaming of this event 
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