Vincent E. Cooke

Pensacola - Captain Vincent E. Cooke, USN (Ret), 83, of Lillian, AL, formerly of San Diego, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, died peacefully on February 3, 2018, in his home. Born January 1, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Marie and Vincent Cooke of Bensalem, PA, Vince was united in marriage to Patricia M. McCullough Cooke on August, 27, 1955.

Vince graduated from North Catholic High School in Philadelphia. He was an avid musician in high school and played in several bands. Vince double majored in Sociology and Business Administration at LaSalle University. He was an adjunct professor at Princeton University, where, for two years, he taught Naval Science. Vince earned a Master of Science degree in Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. After retiring from the Navy, Vince returned to teaching, bringing math and physics to high schoolers in South San Diego, CA, in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

After receiving an Officer's commission, sea duty stations included: Gun Officer on the USS Walker (DDE-517), Chief Engineer on the USS Vogelesang (DD-863), Executive Officer on the USS Hazelwood (DD-531), Chief Engineer on the USS Hancock (CVA-19), Commanding Officer of the USS Mt. Katmai (AE-16), and the Commanding Officer of the USS Denver (LPD-9). Shore duty stations included Hawaii,Vietnam, Monterey, CA, and service at the Pentagon.

Liberty and vacations included more time on the water. Vince and his wife, Pat, were active in the sailing community at San Diego's Southwestern Yacht Club where they were serious competitors in their 34' Catalina sailboat, Elegante. Vince elevated race management to lead SWYC to hold the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series of races, the extensive round robin sailing competition to determine the final competitor of the America's Cup, in both 1992 and 1996. He and Pat then spent a year in New Zealand as Race Committee Chairpersons for the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000.

Vince was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, only 12 days earlier. They had been married 62 years. He is survived by his sister Marie (Harry-deceased) Horlacher of Newtown, PA, sister-in-law, Carol (Charlie-deceased) Cooke of The Villages, FL, and Eileen (Joe) Mangeney of Holland, PA. Vince and Pat are also survived by their 6 children: Patti (Daryl-deceased) Osborne of Colorado Springs, CO, Colleen (Daniel) Cooke-Salas of Chula Vista, CA, Vincent (Michele) Cooke of Woodstock, MD, Michelle Cooke of Exton, PA, Pete Cooke, of La Crescenta, CA, and Mia (Esley) Ottesen of Lillian, AL; as well as 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 26, 2018, 10:00 am, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Pensacola, FL.. A procession and inurnment with full military honors and a patriot motorcycle escort at Ft. Barrancas National Cemetery will follow. All friends are invited to attend.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Pensacola News Journal on Feb. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Cooke

Sponsored by Oak Lawn Funeral Home.

7 Entries

February 24, 2018

Please accept my sincere condolences to the family and friends. Losing a loved one in death is never easy. One day many will have the opportunity to live again. May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you during this difficult time. (John 17:3)

Y S

February 24, 2018

My sincere condolences to the family.
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes.
(Psalms 116:15)

Kim (Kimmy) Kaminski

February 23, 2018

Vince was an avid sailor that I met through the Navy Yacht Club. He was Fleet Captain for the Club in 1998 and was a pioneer in establishing the racing standard in Pensacola Bay as it is today. He introduced windward leeward racing courses to many of the area sailors (and not many were ready for such a sailing concept - fussing all the way out on the bay). But, today his race courses are the standard. Vince was also the Commodore of the Navy Yacht Club in 2005 - a challenging year following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan. But, one of the highlights of his sailing activities includes his time as Race Officer for the Louis Vuitton Series of the America's Cup in New Zealand. I will miss my sailing friend.
Vince and his wife Pat were also members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lillian, Alabama - where I would see them both at mass. (Vince would love to hear my low singing voice as I sang for the service and he would always wink at me as I came to the altar for communion.)
Now, I know we will have a sailing angel watching over us as we head out on the waters and I will wink and smile as I look to the heavens.

Colleen Cooke-Salas

February 10, 2018

Thank you, Dad, for all the opportunities you brought into my life. From family to education to sailing and friends. I love you. Colleen

February 8, 2018

Vince was a steward in sailing. A very unique man. Knew him and Pat from Navy Yacht Club.

February 5, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

February 5, 2018

My condolences to your family during this difficult time. May the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 comfort your family.

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