Harold E. Cook

Harold E. Cook 'Cookie,' 90 of Painted Post (Gang Mills), passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. He was born on July 18, 1934, in Corning, NY, the son of Robert and Ruth (Mourhess) Cook. He graduated from Painted Post High School in 1952. He married Phyllis Wise in 1956 at Grace United Methodist Church. They enjoyed 58 years together. She predeceased him in 2014.
Harold was a loving husband, father, and uncle. Harold and his wife, Phyllis, were members of the South Corning United Methodist Church. They enjoyed the beach and were fans of golf and NASCAR. In his free time, Harold enjoyed his garden and lawn work. When younger, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends. He was good with dogs and trained one Irish Setter, Tammy, as a fine bird dog that won a local contest. Together they hosted three exchange students between 1978 and 1984 through American Field Service (AFS).
In 1949, he and two friends, Ronald and Donald Sanford, of Boy Scout Troop Two "received scouting's top award, The Gold Honor Medal for Lifesaving, from Amory Houghton, president of the national council, Boy Scouts of America" when they rescued 11-year-old Richard Burdick "from certain death atop a 70-foot power line tower." They passed Richard "to each other's arms in brigade fashion. When the last pair of arms held (Richard) secure, the top youths made their way down to begin the process all over again."
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959.
He was a member of the American Flint Glass Workers Union – Local 1002 where he held numerous positions over the course of his tenure including secretary and president.
A member of the Trades Union as an electrician, he received formal training through Corning, completing his apprenticeship as Maintenance Electrician in 1974. He retired in 1990 from Weyerhaeuser and in 1996 from Corning with 37 years of overall service.
He was a proud member of the Painted Post Kiwanis and was particularly active from the late 1970s through the 1980s.
He is survived by his son, Todd, of Painted Post, his partner Marilyn 'Missy' Hopper, his nieces and nephews: Phillip Bamonti (Barbara) of Simpsonville, SC, Mary Walsh (Mike, dec.) Simpsonville, SC, Jo Ann Hill of Buffalo, NY, Roberta Hopkins (Bart) of Rochester, NY, Margaret Buscaglia (Joe) of Buffalo, NY, Ruth Dandrea of Utica NY, his aunt Helen Mourhess of Hanover, PA, plus many cousins on both the Mourhess and the Cook/McBurney sides of the family.
He was predeceased by his two sisters Margaret (Joseph 'Chic' Bamonti) of Corning and Geraldine (James Dandrea) of Elmira.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a brief service at 11am on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the United Church of Painted Post (201 N. Hamilton Street). Reverend Richard Hurd, David Preisendanz, and Melanie Beardslee will officiate. Burial, with Military Honors, will take place at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or your charity of choice.
Harold's family has entrusted his care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc. www.haugheyfuneralhome.com