Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 06/Sep/2026 38.59.11.242
John
(Jack) Frederick Cook, age 82, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Jack was
born on November 30,1943 to Francis Cook and Theresa Ferrone in Newburgh, NY. He
graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelor of
Science in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1965, where he
was a brother in Phi Delta Chi. After two years with the FDA, Jack practiced
pharmacy at Lloyd's Pharmacy in Middletown for 14 years, where he also served as
the Pharmacy Manager. He then went on to work for Merck, Sharp, & Dohme as a
pharmaceutical representative for over twenty years until retirement. Jack
enjoyed sports and played basketball competitively in college, after which he
played in the Middletown Men's Basketball League throughout the 1970s. Jack
shifted to officiating basketball through the Orange County Basketball Officials
Association in 1982. He received an award from the IAABO for forty years of
service officiating area middle and high school basketball games. During this
time, Jack also officiated volleyball through the Mid-Hudson Board of Volleyball
Officials, which he enjoyed and continued through 2025. Through his hard work
and dedication, he was also recruited as an official for girls lacrosse, which
he maintained for several years in the early 2000s. A lifelong lover of fishing,
Jack was actively involved with the Wanaksink Lake Sportsman's Club, serving
several terms on its board in various roles. He and his wife, Lynn, oversaw the
annual kid's fishing contest for twenty-five years, which he enjoyed immensely.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lynn (Madison); brother
Frank Cook of Newburgh; daughter Diana Peloza and her husband John of Irvine CA;
son John Cook Jr. and his wife Martine of North Brookfield, NY; daughter Jeanne
Cook and her husband Dave Coates of Montgomery, NY; son Frank and wife Rebecca
of Cheyenne, WY; son James and wife Jen of Stamford, CT; grandchildren Samantha,
Michaela, Cora, Amelia, Eileen, and Everett; numerous nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.
Jack loved his country and supporting the troops
was very important to him. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations
to Jack's favorite charities: Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Wounded Warrior
Project.
A visitation will be held at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Town of New Windsor will be held on Wednesday,
September 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
John
(Jack) Frederick Cook, age 82, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Jack was
born on November 30,1943 to Francis Cook and Theresa Ferrone in Newburgh, NY. He
graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelor of
Science in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1965, where he
was a brother in Phi Delta Chi. After two years with the FDA, Jack practiced
pharmacy at Lloyd's Pharmacy in Middletown for 14 years, where he also served as
the Pharmacy Manager. He then went on to work for Merck, Sharp, & Dohme as a
pharmaceutical representative for over twenty years until retirement. Jack
enjoyed sports and played basketball competitively in college, after which he
played in the Middletown Men's Basketball League throughout the 1970s. Jack
shifted to officiating basketball through the Orange County Basketball Officials
Association in 1982. He received an award from the IAABO for forty years of
service officiating area middle and high school basketball games. During this
time, Jack also officiated volleyball through the Mid-Hudson Board of Volleyball
Officials, which he enjoyed and continued through 2025. Through his hard work
and dedication, he was also recruited as an official for girls lacrosse, which
he maintained for several years in the early 2000s. A lifelong lover of fishing,
Jack was actively involved with the Wanaksink Lake Sportsman's Club, serving
several terms on its board in various roles. He and his wife, Lynn, oversaw the
annual kid's fishing contest for twenty-five years, which he enjoyed immensely.