Frederick F. "Fred" Cook

  Lansing, Michigan

Frederick Francis Cook passed away peacefully at his home on February 23, 2015, with his family beside him.  He was born in Lansing, Michigan, on March 13, 1923, the first of three sons born to Fred and Lucille Cook. Fred graduated from Resurrection High School in 1941 and shortly after joined the Navy during WWII, serving for two and a half of his three years of duty in the South Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy, Fred married Margaret “Peg” Garland on May 11, 1946.  They lived a short time in California but made Lansing their home, raising five children there.  Fred worked for F.D. Hayes Electric for 29 years and then began his second career(s) with Lieberman’s, Huntington’s and finally Prime Time Awards until retiring at age 88 in 2011.

Fred was an active member of St. Casimir’s parish, volunteering his services when needed, including at times doing the electrical wiring for the church’s annual Corn Roast.  He served as an usher for many years where he took a particular interest in encouraging young parents and their growing families. Upon moving to South Lansing, Fred and Peg joined the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.

Fred was an avid high school sports fan, attending football and basketball games for many years with his special friend Vic Bozzo.   Fred was extremely proud of his brother Paul Cook, who coached both boys and girls basketball, attending as many games as possible until Paul’s retirement.

Fred was predeceased in death by his parents and his brother Richard Cook.  Surviving are his loving wife Peg and their children Michael (Pat) of Anacortes, Washington, Mark (Mary Therese) of Kalamazoo, Matthew of Lansing, Margaret Callahan of Pleasant Ridge, and Maryrose (Wesley) Steer of Grand Rapids and his brother Paul (Mary Ellen) Cook.  He is also survived by his eight grandsons, Aaron, Matthew and Jackson Cook, Peter and Jonathan Cook, Nicholas Smith, Nathaniel and Benjamin Steer, and nine great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lansing on Monday, March 16, 2015, at Noon.  The family is grateful for the loving care given to our Dad by Heartland Hospice of Mason.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to:  Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 865 S. Cedar Street, Mason, MI 48854. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

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17 Messages to “Frederick F. "Fred" Cook

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Mary Jo
February 28, 2015 at 7:31 am

Dear Aunt Peg, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I loved Uncle Fred very much, as you know. He is in the light of our Lord. What a beautiful place to be. My deepest sorrow and condolences to you and my cousins.
All my love,
Mary Jo

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Catherine A D Church
March 1, 2015 at 9:55 am

Dear Family and Friends of Fred,
I met your loved one as my next door neighbor. He and his wife Peg were the best anyone could have as neighbors. We missed them when they moved and visited them at their two new locations, and loved them dearly. We had lost touch lately due to our families illnesses and needs. I will always remember him as a kind, loving person who took care of his neighbor like the good Lord said. He gave get advise and we will miss such a bright light. Love and hugs, Catherine, Steven and Claire Church, past neighbors.

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Ralph and Anne Martin
March 7, 2015 at 11:58 pm

We send you our condolences and prayer. May Fred rest in peace. May the Lord’s light and tender mercy be upon him. May the Holy Spirit console you with the hope of eternal life that comes from faith in Him!
Sincerely,
Ralph and Anne Martin

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Bernadette Leone
March 8, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Dear Peg, Mike, Mark, Matt, Margaret and Dee, Who didn’t love Fred? His sincere interest in my life, warm personality and genuine affection made me feel special and I always walked away from an encounter with your dad feeling happy. He was an amazing man which was evident in the quiet way he faithfully lived out his life. My condolences to all of you as you grieve his death.

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Christine Cook Thwaites
March 8, 2015 at 4:37 pm

Uncle Fred was the best. He never failed to light up the room. A person always felt better just to be near him. He was such a genuine and warm hearted man with a great sense of humor and such a loyal family man. He made the world a better place. I am grateful to have such fond memories of him.
Love to you Aunt Peg and all my Cook Cousins

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Paul and Mary Ellen
March 8, 2015 at 4:40 pm

Dear Peg, Nieces and Nephews,
Words cannot adequately describe my heavy heart over the loss of our beloved Fred. He was one in a million..well maybe there were three of them. We loved him, our children loved him and he will remain in our hearts until we are all reunited in the Lord. God’s peace be with each and every one of your. Our love, Mary Ellen and Paul

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Michael & Beverly Wooley
March 8, 2015 at 5:51 pm

We had the pleasure to work with Fred at Liebermann’s (Bev) and Huntington’s (Mike). We remember him as a kind, loving and generous man. Heaven is definitely a brighter place with him there. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Mike & Bev Wooley

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Linda Cook-Pollock
March 8, 2015 at 6:00 pm

Dear Aunt Peg~~

My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your entire family. What a blessing Uncle Fred was to all of us. He had a kind word and a chuckle for every situation and circumstance. I know that my dad was so pleased and proud to have Fred follow his games…..and enjoyed their special bond as brothers. I hold a place in my heart for you and Fred as my dear aunt and uncle – and especially as my Godparents…… Much Love, Linda

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Donna (Kulpa) Queen
March 8, 2015 at 10:16 pm

May Fred rest in peace. We knew him from the neighborhood, St. Casimir and I went to school with Mark. Fred always had something nice to say and tried to offer support when he was talking to you. We’d see him at Jon’s Country Burger’s buying dinner to take home to eat with Peg. I know he loved his family very much. God bless you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Bert and Donna Queen

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Michael Mcdonald
March 9, 2015 at 8:38 am

So some of my fondness memories were growing up with all the Cook kids, and seeing Fred at the corn roasts.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Freds passing, I’ll always remember him as a kind and gentle man who always had a kind word and a smile for everyone he came in contact with.

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Jenny Quinn
March 9, 2015 at 1:02 pm

Dear Mark and Mary Therese and your entire family,

I agree with the person who said that heaven is a brighter place. I’m sure he’s on the fast track to get there. Your dad was always so nice to everyone and he had such a great smile, and laugh. His commitment to God, and to his wonderful family, friends and Church were an inspiration. We will pray for him, and for your family during this sad time.

Love, Pat and Jenny

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Pat Kreisler (Cook)
March 9, 2015 at 7:21 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Peg and all my Cook cousins. You couldn’t run into Uncle Fred without one of his great hugs! He was a great Brother to our Dad and he will be greatly missed by many! Love you Uncle Fred! All our love, Pat and Larry.

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Janice Cook
March 10, 2015 at 12:03 pm

To Peg and all the family,
Some of the best parts of being in your family, were the hugs and smiles from Fred. I still have a statue he gave me from his collection of photos and statues of the sacred heart, and it has been a reminder of love and embrace in some of my most difficult times.
He lives on in our hearts and in that sacred embrace. And in my memories of he and my much taller father having a grand old time together.
Much love in this quiet time of connection.
Jan

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Carolyn Jacobs
March 11, 2015 at 12:42 am

I am praying for your family. I met Fred and Peg years ago through a friend and they became very special to me. I will greatly miss him and his hugs and smile.

Love and prayers Carolyn

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Diana Lee & Jim Moseley
March 11, 2015 at 8:54 am

Although we never met Fred, we know from knowing Margaret and from her many stories about him how faith-filled, loving, and hard working he was. Please accept our condolences, as well as our prayers for his soul and your comfort.

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Thomas Cook
March 12, 2015 at 1:11 pm

Aunt Peg and All of the Cooks,
With a heavy heart, but warm memories I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Fred truly was the light of all of our lives. You couldn’t help but feel better just being in his presence. His loving spririt will be with us forever.
Peace Be with You All,
Tom and Nell Cook

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Bruce Miller
March 16, 2015 at 6:13 pm

Peg and All the Cooks –
Your dad was very good to me during a dark time in high school when things for me were not going particularly well. I doubt Fred remembered that or even took note of his kindness and support of me, but I will never forget it.

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