Donald B. Cooke Sr. Obituary (1948 - 2017)

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald B. Cooke Sr., 69, of Ogdensburg will be celebrated on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 10 A.M. at Notre Dame Church with Rev. Joe Morgan as celebrant. Entombment will be held at a date to be announced at Foxwood Memorial Park with full military honors. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 1, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. at the LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home. Mr. Cooke died on Tuesday evening, August 29th, 2017 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Arrangements are under the direction of LaRue & Pitcher Funeral Home. Donald B. Cooke Sr. was born on January 22, 1948 in Ogdensburg, he was the son of the late Norman A. and Mary H. (Barnes) Cooke. He was a 1967 graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy, following his education he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. On August 28, 1971, he married Loretta Corrice at Notre Dame Church before Father James Trombley. Don would continue to service in the United States Army Reserves for another 23 years. He worked from 1978-1983 as a U.S. Customs Inspector at the Massena and Ogdensburg Ports. He then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service for 31 years until his retirement in 2007. He was also a 1977 graduate of Mater Dei College. Donald was a member of the Canton VFW Post 1231, a past trustee and Junior Vice Commander of the Ogdensburg VFW, past Commander of the Ogdensburg AMVETS Post 19 and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a parishioner of Notre Dame Church, he loved Baseball and one of the original founders of the Veteran’s cemetery section of Ogdensburgh Cemetery. He was also instrumental in bringing the moving Vietnam Veterans Wall to Ogdensburg. He is survived by his wife, Loretta Cooke and his sons; Donald B. Cooke Jr. of Ogdensburg and Jason M. Cooke and his wife Melanie of Miami, FL. He is survived by his grandchildren Alexianna and Landon Cooke. His brothers Arthur Cooke and his wife Sandy of Rochester and Gary Cooke of Ogdensburg also survive him. He was predeceased by his brothers; Joseph L. Cooke, Anthony R. Cooke and two brothers in infancy Norman and Douglas Cooke. Donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Notre Dame Heritage Fund 125 Ford Avenue Ogdensburg, NY 13669 or the Canton VFW Post 1231 34 Gouverneur St. Canton, NY 13617. Online condolences may be made at www.LaRuePitcher.com.