Russell R. Cook Passes
GREENVILLE, NH -- Russell Ricker Cook Sr., 89, formerly of Leominster, died Friday, January 4, 2013, at his residence with his loving family surrounding him.
The son of Hiram LeRoy and Madalene E. (Ricker) Cook, he grew up in Leominster, MA graduating from Leominster High School, Class of 1942 and Fitchburg State College Class of 1948, obtaining M.Ed. degree in 1952. In 1954, he and his wife Florence settled in Greenville, NH in the home they built.
A proud veteran of WWll serving in the European Theatre as technical support for the 187th Field Artillery October 1942 to December 1945, he participated in 5 major campaigns, including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
He taught in Leominster and Fitchburg High schools for over 30 years. After retirement from teaching, he devoted full time to Russ Cook Tours, planning and escorting thousands of travelers throughout the United States and Canada, sharing his love for the United States, its history, and beauty.
Education of the young was one of his main passions. He devoted 33 years of classroom instruction; six years as a school board member at the local level and two years on the Board of Trustees at Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg, MA, serving as chairman of both organizations. He also served on the Greenville Board of Selectmen.
Being both a member and a leader in several fraternal organizations, he was a 52 year member of the LeClair-Caron-Pelletier Post #13 American Legion; life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; a member of the Hillsboro County Law Enforcement Association; an active member and supporter of the National Rifle Association, and active in many conservative causes and political campaigns. He was a 65-year member and Past Master of Wilder Lodge AF & AM, Leominster, MA. A life member of the York Rite and Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasons consisting of: Jerusalem Commandery #19, Knights Templar of Fitchburg, MA; Leominster Royal Arch Chapter; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies of Boston, MA and the Valley of Worcester, MA; Aleppo Temple Shriners; and one of the founders of the Fitchburg-Leominster Shrine Club. A cause dear to his heart was supporting the Children's Transportation Fund for the Shriner's Hospitals for Children.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Florence R. (Zickell) Cook; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Peter Michaud of Center Harbor, NH; son and daughter-in-law, Francis and Constance Cook of Greenville, NH, and our dearest Kate Thomsen of Pennington, NJ. He was further blessed with four grandchildren, Gregory and Katelyn Michaud, and Zachary and Christopher Cook; three generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins.