A. Bruce Cork

A. Bruce Cork

LANCASTER: A. Bruce Cork, age 77 of Lancaster, died December 16th, 2013 at the Pickering House. He was born in Chicago, IL on May 19th, 1936 to Lawrence and Mabel Pahl Cork. Bruce graduated with a bachelors in Restaurant Management from the University of Illinois where he joined the fraternity Delta Upsilon. He then joined the Army and while serving his country managed food service. He worked for the accounting firm Harris Grove Forrester in Chicago, then worked for The Drake Hotel and was instrumental in opening The Drake Oakbrook. He was the manager of the Golden Lamb in Lebanon, OH. In Cincinnati, he ran the Carousel. In 1975 he and his wife Jean purchased Shaw's Restaurant in Lancaster, using his expertise and skills to always strive to serve the best. At Shaw's Restaurant, he involved his knowledge and love of wine and won the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 17 years. He was a founding board member of the Lancaster Festival. He was a member of Fairfield Heritage Association; a member and past President of the Central Ohio Restaurant Association where he was awarded Restauranteur of the Year in 2000. He was a board member of the Ohio Glass Museum, the Visitors and Convention Bureau, and the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, serving as treasurer for several years.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Nancy Cork; former wife, Jean Cork of Lebanon; son, Alan (Beth) Cork of Minneapolis, MN; daughters, Susie Cork of Lancaster and Molly (Scott) McElfresh of Cincinnati; grandchildren, Kelsey, Michael, and Sean Cork, and Ian McElfresh.

Bruce was preceded in his death by his parents.

The family would like to thank the Fairfield Medical Center and FairHoPe Hospice for their compassionate care.

A memorial service will take place at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME on Thursday at 4PM.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2PM until 4PM and 5PM until 7PM. Caring Cremation® has taken place through the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made in his name to either the Lancaster Festival, 117 West Wheeling St., Lancaster, OH 43130 or to the Ohio Glass Museum, 124 W. Main St., Lancaster, OH 43130. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralhome.com.