On the thirteenth day of April, 2011, in the company of his wife and children, Joseph Dominic Cook got his wish to pass peacefully into the loving arms of God.  He will always be remembered as a loving family man, a business man with incredible integrity and a man of deep faith.

Dad was born on August 4, 1923 on a little farm outside of Greeley, Nebraska, to Nicholas and Stella Canning Cook.  He was the fourth of five children.  At the age of four dad lost his mother in a tragic fire and the kids were raised by their father who never remarried.  Dad’s aunt Margaret Murphy and paternal grandparents John and Maryann Cook also assisted in raising the children.  Dad was very close to his brothers: John, Jim and Leo and he had a special bond with his sister, Stacia.

It was extremely important for Grandpa Nick that his kids were educated.  Dad attended schools around the Greeley, and Scotia, Nebraska area.  Dad attended Sacred Heart High School in Greeley and played football.  He loved to tell the stories of how his brothers (the twins) John and Jim would block for him and he would run for a touchdown with them yelling, “Go Joe! Go Joe!”.  One of his favorite football stories was when his brother John got his nose broken in a game and it made dad so mad that he ran for four or five touchdowns.  Even though grandpa stressed the importance of education dad dropped out of school after the football season ended his senior year to help on the farm.

Sacred Heart School was when dad first met Margaret Mary Stephens.  They did not date until after Mom graduated.  They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Greeley on August 12, 1946.  A year later mom and dad moved to New Plymouth, Idaho.  Dad was not impressed with the Idaho desert when he first moved, but soon grew to love his new home. 

While in New Plymouth dad worked for several farmers and a local lumber company.  He began his love of fishing the Idaho rivers with his good friend, Elwood Collinsworth.  Mom and Dad were blessed with 5 children, Karen, Nick, Peg, Ron and Dominic who passed away at birth.  Family was first in dads mind and heart. 

Mom and dad and their young family moved to Boise, Idaho in 1957.  Dad had invested his life savings in to being a partner in the Overhead Door Co. of S. W. Idaho.  Dad sacrificed many hours so that his children could receive a Catholic education.  All of the kids attended Sacred Heart and Bishop Kelly High School.

Dad was involved as an assistant coach and coach in the early days of optimist football in Boise, coaching his son Nick.  He also sponsored several of Peg’s softball teams from youth softball to women’s fast pitch.  He also sponsored five women’s fast pitch tournaments.  Dad loved to watch college football and Nebraska, Boise State and Notre Dame were his favorite teams to watch with Ron.  Sports were not his only pastime with his children as the yearly fishing trips were a favorite for him.

Every year dad and Uncle Jim would take all of the kids camping and fishing.  The Main and Middle forks of the Payette rivers were a favorite spot for these trips.  Dad loved to see his son, Nick and nephews, John and Mike in the middle of the rivers catching more fish than they could keep.  Dad rarely got the opportunity to fish himself as he was so busy baiting hooks and taking the fish off of the younger kids fishing poles.  He took great pride in being the camp cook and every child had to eat his fried taters and onions.  As the kids got older and his grandchildren were born dad continued the family camping trips.  His love of fishing was not limited to the rivers of Idaho as he looked forward to every opportunity to go deep sea fishing with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Rod Hall.  Most of these trips included his wife Margie.

Dad and Mom were partners in all parts of their lives.  Their love of their family and incredible support they showed their kids will always be remembered.  Dad and mom enjoyed many trips that they had won through the business.  Dad loved mom very much and just before he passed he held moms hand and said, “We have had a good long life and I love you.”  They would have been married 65 years this August.

Dad and mom worked together in the Overhead Door business for 43 years.  Dad built the business on customer service.  He made many lifelong relationships with general contractors.  All of the kids worked in the business at one time or another.  His brother Jim assisted him in the early years of the business and helped to make it have a good and positive reputation.  Many of dad’s nieces and nephews as well as his grandsons also worked for Overhead Door.  All who worked for him would say that he was an honest and fair man who taught them a good work ethic.

Dad was involved in the Home Builders Association and volunteered many hours on different committees with the Home Builders.  He worked on the annual Robie Creek HBA picnic.  He was awarded the sub-contractor of the year for the HBA.  He was also featured in Idaho Statesman’s Business Watch and when asked about his business philosophy he stated, “To be open and honest with everyone you come in contact with.”  Regarding his best learning experience he stated,   “To treat employees with respect as individuals so they feel they are an important part of the company.”

Joe Harris, a local general contractor, visited dad before he passed and he said to him, “Joe, you took a lot of us young builders on and helped us to become better builders.  But you did more than that you made us better people.”

Dad’s dedication to help others to become better people was rooted in his deep faith in God and his practice of the Catholic faith.  Dad was often called upon by the parish priests to help around the parishes that he attended.  Dad helped to build the library behind Sacred Heart School and was involved in the building of the bleachers and concession stands at Bishop Kelly High School.  He also ran the down markers and chains at Bishop Kelly before passing it on to his son, Nick and nephew, Mike Cook. 

He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  Many people were treated to either Dad’s Mother’s Day breakfasts of corned beef and cabbage meals at the Knights of Columbus hall.  He was a founding member of St. Mark’s Catholic Community.  He was on the first building committee and assisted Fr. Morris Later and Fr. Raymond Peplinski whenever they called. 

Dad was a man who did not preach his faith, he lived it.  He believed that faith without works is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.  He attended Mass and was devoted to the Eucharist, and praying the Rosary.  When dad passed his wife, Margie; daughters, Karen and Peg; son, Ron; brother, Jim and his wife, Mary and brother -in-law, Don were praying the Rosary.  It was his wish to go peacefully with his family praying the Rosary and his wish was granted.

Dad is survived by his wife, Margie; daughter, Karen Cook; daughter, Peg Cook; daughter-in-law, Linda Van Slyke; son, Ron; grandsons: J.D. Childs and his wife Kelly, Steve Childs (Cynthianna Hamrick), Lonnie Childs and Adam Bingham and his six great-grandchildren.

Dad was proceeded in death by his parents: Nick and Stella Cook; his brother, Father John Cook; his sons:  Nick and Dominic Cook and great-grandson Blake Childs.

The family would like to thank Heart and Home Hospice especially Tina, Terra, and Sunny.  We would also like to thank Kevin and the women of Assisting Hands who helped in the last hours of dad’s life.  And of course we want to thank ALL of our relatives and friends who are always there when we need them most.

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