Matthew J. Cook
January 10, 1940 ~ January 15, 2024
Resided in:
Limerick, Maine
Matthew J. Cook
1940 – 2024
Limerick – Matthew J. Cook, 84, of Limerick, passed away January 15th, 2024, at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough.
Matthew was the oldest of four children born to Matthew and Hazel Cook. His father passed away when he was a very young boy and his mother relocated the family to Riverside, Rhode Island, where she remarried to John Laflamme. John would help raise him and become the father figure he respected and spoke so highly of to his children.
Matthew left high school at age 17 to join the Coast Guard. While stationed in Portland, Maine, aboard the Acushnet, he met the love of his life, Norma Black, and they married in 1959. They settled in Westbrook, Maine where they raised four children.
After serving in the Coast Guard, he worked in the plumbing wholesale business for years in several management positions, later serving as a manufacturer’s representative for companies such as Nibco Valve and Universal Rundle Corp. He also started his own business, Cook & Sons Fiberglass, where he worked until he retired.
Retirement just meant a new chapter as it was his passion to be involved helping others. He became the Exulted Ruler of the Portland Elks for several years, created a home inspection business and went on to teach hunter safety courses. Matthew would be the first to lend a hand to help anyone in need.
Matthew had a great outlook on life. Diagnosed with lung cancer, he defied all the odds while fighting heroically. He never lost his desire to live life and show his children the path to making a difference in the world.
Matthew is survived by his wife Norma Cook. His children Michael Cook and wife Laura of Westbrook, Ronald Cook and wife Valerie of Raymond, Jeffery Cook and his wife Sandy of Raymond, Kelli Manson and her husband Rick of Limerick, and his sister Blanche Mosses and husband Mike of Charleston, Rhode Island. Grandchildren Matthew Cook and wife Tonya Leigh Noble, Krystal Gallant and husband Dean, Andrew Cook and wife RaeAnne, Ashley Korenkiewcz and husband Kevin, Joseph Cook and wife Shelby, Travis Cook and wife Lindsey McVey Cook, Kathleen Cook Janosik and husband Zach, Ryan Cook and wife Jennie, Kyle Poirier and wife Stephanie, Brooke Poirer and fiancé Jackson King, and Mackenzie Roberts. He also leaves behind sixteen great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Joyce Cook.
The family will hold a ceremony on May 3rd where Matthew will be put to rest at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Springvale, Maine with full military honors. Immediately following a celebration of life will be held at Norma and Matthew’s home located at 467 Foss Rd Limerick, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to:
Maine Veteran’s Home
290 US Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
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Prayerfully thinking of each family member and sending my sincerest condolences. You and all who knew him have lost a very special family member and friend.
Matt along with his wife Norma took care of several family members, enriching their lives with unconditional love and caring.
You are going to be missed though never forgotten. Thank you for being a light to so many.
Matt loved his family more than anything else in the world.
I admired Matt’s ability to make even the most introverted people feel like they mattered.
I will always remember how Matt made me feel welcome and at ease.
Matt made the world a better place through his acceptance of others and warm, caring personality.
Matt had a spirit of giving and was always ready to lend a helping hand.
My daughter Valerie married Matt’s son Ron, adding a wonderful extension to our family. Matt along with his wife Norma embraced our family with warmth and acceptance. Matt was always cheerful and welcoming. He had a knack for making people feel at ease with his ready smile and kind words. Matt will be missed by many.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and send love, blessings and prayers. 🙏🙏🙏
Larry Albert and Family
One of the highest regarded people of my life.
Matt could Disco Dance right up there with Travolta after our groups’ pro dance lessons in the 80’s.
I love and miss you so much papa. It was a BLESSING being your granddaughter ❤️thank you for everything you’ve taught me over the years and being the best papa i could ask for.
Funny, handsome, kind, caring, hardworking, smart, the best grandfather ever.
Wayne and I are very sorry for your loss and we are praying for all of you to have peace in remembering his love for you all.
his kindness was unperilled.
matt and I had a real talent when it came to bringing home a sideways pizza, carried like a book bag, but he could always fix it and it never went to the trash, so funny as we talked about it for so many years
the best friend you could ever wish for
I married into the family and little did I know, this was the best new friend and family I could ever have dreamed of.
Matthew was a friend and relative for over 53 years . he was always the greatest friend anyone could ever have. It was and is a blessing to have known him, and heaven just got a one in a million.
you missed one of the best