Henry Alexander Cook Jr.

Henry Alexander Cook, Jr.,74,of Newington, Connecticut, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, April 1, 2015. He was the son of Henry Cook, Sr. and Muriel (Fenner) Wilks. Born in Hartford, Henry grew up in Newington. From an early age he displayed an entrepreneurial spirit by making birdhouses and selling them throughout the neighborhood. Whatever he could make, he would try and sell. As he grew into a young adult, he exemplified the 1950s era and fell in love with fast cars and rock and roll music. He graduated from Newington High School in 1958 and went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Navy, traveling to many European ports on the destroyer, U.S.S. Rooks. Back home, he married and started a family while enjoying a long career in sales, beginning humbly as a door-to-door fuller brush man and progressing as high as a Northeast regional sales manager where he would earn the top sales award year after year. Most of his sales career was in the wall covering industry, servicing the do-it-yourself paint and wallpaper stores. He was well-liked by his customers, always personable, down to earth and possessing a do-it-yourself spirit himself. He also knew when to listen, a trait he believed to be most important in sales. During his early married life, Henry was very active in town: a bowler, a square dancer, and a third degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus, volunteering at the ring toss booth at the town's annual block party. He also supported the Special Olympics and the Jaycees as a result of his special needs daughter. A real outdoorsman at heart, he was a boat owner for many years of his life as well as a part-time resident of Southern Vermont for over 20 years. He was an excellent target shooter and gun enthusiast, and loved working in the yard and growing his tomatoes every year. In addition, Henry had a love for carpentry and woodworking 'projects' throughout his life and made many beautiful pieces of furniture over the years as well as renovated his log cabin in Vermont. He settled into a quiet routine during his later years, but always took a small amount of time each day to socialize with his friends at the 'pub.' He had many ups and downs in his life, but pushed forward as hard as it was some days, never said a bad word about anyone and would always help someone when he could. He was very much loved and will be greatly missed. He is predeceased by his mother, father, and son-in-law Erik Robinson, and leaves behind his daughters Jacqueline Cook and Jennifer Robinson, his brothers Richard (and Lynn) Wilks and William (and Joyce) Wilks, his grandchildren, Emily and Kevin Robinson, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Terry. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Henry's Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 09, 2015, at The Newington Memorial Funeral Home, with Father Joseph Keough presiding. He will be laid to rest in the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, with military honors. To Share a memory with Henry's family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com