Richard Cook Obituary

Richard A. Cook NORFOLK - Richard A. "Dick" Cook died unexpectedly Jan. 11, 2011 in Norfolk. He was born May 25, 1944 in Everett, Wash., and was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine "Toni" Cook; his parents, Grant K. Cook and Catherine Zaat; and older brother, Jerry Cook. Retired Master Chief Cook was immensely proud of his 26-year United States Navy career, which brought him first to Philadelphia, where he met his wife, Toni, and then to Norfolk in 1968, where he and Toni had resided since. Longtime Ocean View residents will remember him as "The Ocean View Santa Claus," thanks to his lavish holiday displays on Cherry Street and personal front-porch portrayal of Santa Claus every evening leading up to Christmas. Others will have known him as "The Boat Doctor," thanks to his watercraft repair business of the same name, and penchant for telling customers, "You can have it good, fast and cheap. But you can only have two out of the three." He never met a tool he didn't like, or a wrench he couldn't turn. He liked to hunt and fish with good friends, John Ghetti, Lonnie Crawford, Fred Gerber and "Captain" Henry Robinson, cherished his three dogs and loved to bring in his prized figs and tomatoes to Davenport's Barber Shop in Ocean View. He served as president of the Ocean View Civic League, and was dedicated to making it a place to "be proud to call home." He is survived by his son, Aldo Cook and daughter- in-law Terri Cook both of Virginia Beach; daughter, Gina Cook of Carlsbad, Calif.; grandsons, Nicholas and Robert Cook, both of Virginia Beach; his beloved sister, Rose Marie Jackson and her husband Ed of Washington state and other sister, Kathleen. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marvelyn Wolfkill; niece, Cheryl; cousin, Gail, all of Washington state; and nephew, Jerry Jr. of Arizona, all of whom he was most fond. The viewing will be at 3 p.m. today, Jan. 16, at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home on Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, followed by a service at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Norfolk SPCA.