Al Albon Cook Jr.

Al Albon L. Cook Jr. East Hampton, CTAl Albon L. Cook Jr., 80, of East Hampton, CT, passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospice on Saturday, July 6, 2013. He was born in Wilmington, NY, the eldest son of the late Bernice (Lawrence) Cook and Albon L. Cook Sr. They lived on Grandpa Lawrence's farm where he loved fishing and hunting in the Adirondack's with his dad and brother, Anthony, and when he was older with his special friend, Scott. He loved spending time with Scott's family, especially his mother, Reta. After Al's mother passed away, he spent time with the late aunt, Mary and uncle, Herb, and then moved to Schenectady, NY, to live with aunt, Vicky and the late uncle, Aldor Cook. Al graduated from Mont Pleasant High School, went into the Navy at NAS Jacksonville, FL, for electrical training (ET) from May 1952 until March 1954. He contemplated a career as a baseball pitcher as he had a great arm and worked out with catcher Buck Ewing. Instead he went to Union College and graduated in 1958 with a civil engineering degree. Al spent his career working for the federal government. While attending Union College he worked summers for the National Forest Service in 1956 and 1958. He spent six years with the Federal Aviation Agency doing survey design and construction of air navigation facilities including long range radar sites. He worked with Federal Highway (FHWA) in several states for 28 years. He was the field operations engineer in the Connecticut office, working to meet federal government requirements in planning, design, construction/reconstruction of Federal-aid projects, retiring in 1994 after a total of 38 years of government service. Al received several awards for his service to the government and received the Administrator's Award for Superior Achievement at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in 1991. Al was an excellent fly fisherman and with his wife, Daryl, spent five vacations in Montana where he loved to fly fish the Madison River in Ennis. In Connecticut, he enjoyed fly fishing the Farmington River and later loved the thrill to catch salt water Albies (False Albacore) in Waterford, CT and Rhode Island. He loved skiing in his favorite area Alta, UT, along with ski resorts in Colorado and New England. He took up golf later in life and with Peter-Boy enjoyed Indian Hills, TPC, and Tallwood. He taught Daryl to play and they spent many fun outings with friends, Paulette and Kerry Cook. He enjoyed the outdoors and being active until health issues prevented him from doing so. He is survived by his loving wife, Daryl; special aunt, Vicky of New York; brother, Anthony and wife, Marylou of Florida; sons, Glen of New York, Alan and wife, Holly and their son, Andrei of Virginia, and Matthew of New York; a nephew and several nieces. He was predeceased by his mother and father; uncle, Aldor; several aunts and uncles. The family wishes to thank Middlesex Hospital and Middlesex Hospice for the kind and compassionate care he received. Friends may call at the Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St., East Hampton, CT on Monday, July 15 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a service to begin at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers contributions in his name may be made to the East Hampton Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 144, East Hampton, CT 06424, or to the Rocky Hill Ambulance Association. To leave online condolences, please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.