John Matthew Cooke
John Matthew Cooke, 96, a longtime resident of Milton and a retired Operations Officer for U.S. Customs, died on December 26, 2010.
Born and raised in South Boston, Mr. Cooke spent the early years of his marriage in Dorchester then moved to Milton in 1943.
Mr. Cooke was an active parishioner at Saint Agatha’s Church where he was involved in the Holy Name Society and the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. He also bowled with his wife in Cunningham Park’s bowling league. He enjoyed golf, traveling, music and spending time with his family.
Beloved husband of the late Mary G. (Finnegan) Cooke for 57 years
Loving father of Mary A. Cooke of Dorchester, John M. Cooke, PhD and his wife Pat DuWors Cooke of Shrewsbury, formerly of Palmer, Anne M. Conlon and her husband Kevin of Norwell and the late Claire E. Dorsey. Brother of the late James, Peter and Patrick Cooke. Grandfather of Susan Burns, Laurie Woodworth, Paul and Scott Dorsey, Joe, David and John Conlon and Deb Stepanian. Also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, a son-in-law, Paul B. Dorsey of Canton and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, Milton on Friday, Dec. 31 at 10:30AM. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave. MILTON, Thursday, 5-8PM. Interment in Milton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Cooke’s memory may be made to Saint Vincent De Paul Society, 18 Canton St., Stoughton, MA 02072.
Guestbook Entries
To Scott and the entire Dorsey family- Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Your grandfather, may he rest in peace, had an amazing spirit that certainly lives on in you, Jack + Liam.
Love, the Hursts
John and Pat and Cooke Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. My sincere condolences.
Sincerely, Jean Vigliotti
To John and Pat and all the Cookes: “the Candyman” as we very affectionately referred to your Dad brought lots of wonderful childhood memories (and a plentiful supply of treats) to a whole generation of Raeke family children as we visited him on Glen Ave in Manomet. His loving and generous spirit will be missed by all of us.
With love and gratitude, Andrea and Tom
To John and Pat Cooke and the entire family,
My sincere condolences are extended to all of you. John, from the many stories you have shared about your father, I know he was a very kind, caring, interesting, and much loved man. I know it is hard to say goodbye, but his spirit and his kindness lives on in his family.
With much love and sympathy, Wendie Allain
Mary, John and Pat, Anne and Kevin, Paul and families:
Because of your loving Dad / Grandpa, we have so many wonderful memories which we’ll always cherish. We have all been so blessed to have had him with us for all these years; still, it’s not been long enough.
Please know that you are all in our prayers, and that we send along our sympathy, support and love.
Joan and Greg Elizabeth, Jane and Annie
What a lovely funeral Mass for your dear father and grandfather today!
God was good to provide such a beautiful, sunny day. John’s eulogy
was touching and amusing—we never knew about that red Mustang
purchased at age 80.
We were, however, on hand for the maiden voyage of the kayak at Churchill’s Landing. We put our old family 8 mm movies onto DVD for Christmas. Last Sunday, December 26th, we Raeke siblings and grandchildren watched the sequence from the beach races on July 4th sometime in the 50’s. Lo and behold, there was your Mom and Dad in their bathing suits and looking so happy. What a treasure my Dad captured of simple, happy days and gave us all wonderful memories of our Manomet neighbors and dear friends!
We will cherish those memories and keep your family in our thoughts and prayers! The Raeke family