Franklyn T. Cook

Franklyn Thomas Cook, 85, of Cumberland, RI, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 17 after a battle with Alzheimer's.
Frank was born in Lonsdale, the youngest child of Sidney and Mary (Conn) Cook. His brother, Sidney Davis Cook, preceded him in death in January 2025.
He is survived by his beloved wife Roberta Collins Cook of Pawtucket, RI with whom he shared 62 cherished years of marriage; his children Robyn (Nick) Bellamy of Pawling, NY, William (Danielle) Cook of Plainville, MA, and Jennifer (Philip) Alarie of Warwick, RI; his six adored grandchildren: Sam and Will Bellamy, Max and Hannah Alarie, and Ben and Libby Cook; and his nieces and nephews Wayne (Melissa) Collins, Pam (Peter) Hall, Tim (Holly) Cook, and Catherine (Anne) Cook.
Known affectionately during his childhood as "Beaver," Frank's parents ran Cook's Lunch, a luncheonette that was central to the neighborhood. Frank carried forward this spirit of community throughout his life.
Frank graduated from Tolman High School in 1958 and attended the University of Rhode Island on a US Army ROTC scholarship. After graduating from URI in 1963, he began his army training at Fort Benning in Georgia and served as a Captain at the Infantry Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Frank continued his service as an Army Reservist in Bristol, RI until 1972.
Frank's professional career was dedicated to serving others. He worked at the American Cancer Society and United Way before establishing Fund Consultants Inc. in 1970, a full-service fundraising consulting firm. Frank's clients included many prestigious hospitals, universities, schools and arts organizations throughout New England. Many of Frank's colleagues and staff became like family to Frank and Bert over the years.
Frank loved volunteering and served often in leadership positions. Early on, his Jaycees membership was impactful and it was during this time, that he and Bert formed many lifelong friendships. He was a proud volunteer with Big Brothers and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where he volunteered his fund-raising expertise to help build a new fraternity house on the URI campus. He devoted much of his time to the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Good Shepherd Church in Pawtucket, the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.
A natural athlete and competitor, Frank loved sports as both a player and coach. He played baseball and basketball from grade school through his army years; in adulthood, fishing and golf became his passions. Frank was always eager for a game - whether cards (pinochle, hi-lo-jack and cribbage), catch, softball, or basketball - and was a natural born leader who gravitated and welcomed any social gathering.
A Requiem Eucharist will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 490 Broadway, Pawtucket. Family and friends are invited, and may attend visiting hours on Thursday, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 490 Broadway, Pawtucket, RI 02860. For directions, or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.
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