Obituary of Stephen David Cook

Cook, Stephen David, CA (1922-2010) Surrounded by his loving family, Steve passed away on November 20, 2010 at the Saint John Residential Hospice after a brief period of illness. Born in London, England on January 31, 1922, where he grew up and was educated, he was the son of David Joseph Cook and Mabel Mary (Plunkett) Cook. Steve served in the RAF during the Second World War, enlisting in February 1940 as soon as he turned 18 years of age. After training, he obtained his “wings” and sergeant pilot status in mid-1941 and from 1942 until the end of the war, flew various types of light bomber and other aircraft in the Middle East. He married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Tatnall, after leaving the RAF in 1946, and recommenced a career with the Binder Hamlyn firm of chartered accountants in London, leading to his UK CA designation. Steve, Dorothy and their infant daughter Penny immigrated to Canada and settled in Saint John in 1952, receiving his New Brunswick CA designation. After periods of employment in Saint John with first Peat Marwick, then Irving Oil Limited and subsequently T.S. Simms & Company, Steve accepted a position with the Steel Company of Canada in Hamilton, Ontario where he lived with his family from 1955 until 1963. He received his CA designation from Ontario in 1956 and an FCA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales in 1961. After returning to Saint John, he opened his own accounting practice in 1964, which he ran successfully for 44 years until his retirement at the age of 86 in October 2008. His sound business advice and wise counsel will definitely be missed by his former clients and his family alike. A firm believer in providing service to his community, Steve is a past-president of Lancaster Kiwanis Club and United Way of Greater Saint John, past Worshipful Master of Hibernia Lodge, past member of Luxor Shrine and past-treasurer of Westfield Golf & Country Club, where he played golf with his friends for many years and was still a social member at the time of his death. Steve will be sorely missed by Dorothy (Tatnall) Cook, his wife of almost 65 years, his daughter Penny (Greg Burgess), his son Chris (Fran) and his five grandchildren: Stephanie Seheult (Peter), Jeffrey Burgess, Nick Cook (Angélica Ruiz), Andrew Burgess and Patrick Cook. He is also survived by his relatives in England, including sister-in-law Sue Cook, brother-in-law Dennis Tatnall (Kay) and nieces Suzanne, Frances and Caroline and their husbands and children. Steve was predeceased by his younger brothers, Don and Derek. At Steve’s request, there will be no visitation. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on December 4th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Union Club, 125 Germain Street, Saint John. The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the staff of the Saint John Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit and especially to the staff of the new Saint John Residential Hospice (Bobby’s Hope House). In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Greater Saint John, United Way of Greater Saint John, the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice, would be appreciated by the family.