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Tributes
Norman E. Cook
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July 7, 2009
Born in Kiowa, Kan. to Russell Cook and Maureen Watkins, Norm was raised in Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Mich., and spent time with his grandparents in Wellington, Kan.
Norm entered the U.S. Navy in 1939 and served in the Pacific, with three years in Perth, W. Australia as a radioman and Navy photographer, rising to Chief Warrant Officer. When released from the service in 1947, he returned to Detroit, where he went into the automotive parts manufacturing business with his father. That year he married Betty Banasiewicz. With the outbreak of the Korean conflict he was recalled to service and was a Naval Intelligence Instructor at Bainbridge, Wash. until 1954, then returned to Detroit and the business.
His wife, Betty, died in 1967. In 1970 he married Ann MacInnes Birou and they moved to St. David, where they took ownership of the Golden Bell Park. Since the sale of the park in 1985, then known at St. David Lakes, they have continued to live in St. David.
Starting in 1978, Norm became a very active member of the Benson Rotary and went on to become the Rotary District 5500 District Governor 1991-92. He had been an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Royal Oak, Michigan, where he was Master in 1966. Arriving in Arizona, he became a member of the San Pedro Lodge No. 55 F. & A.M. and served as its treasurer.
Norm will be remembered for his outgoing personality, great storytelling, wonderful humor and community service. He has hiked all over Cochise County and climbed every mountain. He had a great curiosity and love of taking recycled materials to make something new. His handiwork is everywhere.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, daughter Cindy Speir (Jim), St. David, Marc Birou, Paul Birou, Marie Meiffren, Teresa Birou, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A celebration of Norm's Life will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery on Friday, July 24 at noon, followed by a luncheon.
Arrangements are being handled by Richardson's Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Benson Rotary Charitable Foundation or TMC Hospice.
Born in Kiowa, Kan. to Russell Cook and Maureen Watkins, Norm was raised in Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Mich., and spent time with his grandparents in Wellington, Kan.
Norm entered the U.S. Navy in 1939 and served in the Pacific, with three years in Perth, W. Australia as a radioman and Navy photographer, rising to Chief Warrant Officer. When released from the service in 1947, he returned to Detroit, where he went into the automotive parts manufacturing business with his father. That year he married Betty Banasiewicz. With the outbreak of the Korean conflict he was recalled to service and was a Naval Intelligence Instructor at Bainbridge, Wash. until 1954, then returned to Detroit and the business.
His wife, Betty, died in 1967. In 1970 he married Ann MacInnes Birou and they moved to St. David, where they took ownership of the Golden Bell Park. Since the sale of the park in 1985, then known at St. David Lakes, they have continued to live in St. David.
Starting in 1978, Norm became a very active member of the Benson Rotary and went on to become the Rotary District 5500 District Governor 1991-92. He had been an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Royal Oak, Michigan, where he was Master in 1966. Arriving in Arizona, he became a member of the San Pedro Lodge No. 55 F. & A.M. and served as its treasurer.
Norm will be remembered for his outgoing personality, great storytelling, wonderful humor and community service. He has hiked all over Cochise County and climbed every mountain. He had a great curiosity and love of taking recycled materials to make something new. His handiwork is everywhere.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, daughter Cindy Speir (Jim), St. David, Marc Birou, Paul Birou, Marie Meiffren, Teresa Birou, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A celebration of Norm's Life will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery on Friday, July 24 at noon, followed by a luncheon.
Arrangements are being handled by Richardson's Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Benson Rotary Charitable Foundation or TMC Hospice.
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| Mary Ann Cetner |
Reader Tributes
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Beverly Stepp wrote on Jul 15, 2009 7:31 PM:
" I will always remember Norm as a very caring person with a quick wit and always a smile or a joke. Norm is that person that we all wish we could aspire to. With his love of life, devotion to his family, community and, expecially Rotary, I feel honored to have know him.
Our prayers go out to his family.
Beverly & Pete Stepp "
Our prayers go out to his family.
Beverly & Pete Stepp "
Wayne Rausch wrote on Jul 20, 2009 3:27 PM:
" I first met Norm shortly after he moved to St. David in 1970. I went to work for him at St. David Lakes, as he had renamed it, and stayed with him on and off for the better part of 8 years.
I remember him fondly. He pedaled that red bicycle for hundreds of miles from one end of the park to the other. We shared morning coffe with bagels and cream cheese, and burgers from the grill at lunch. He told me stories from his early days, and kept me laughing with his view of everything from politics to people.
Ultimately, he was a good man who made his mark during his time here on earth. May God bless you and those you left behind.
Sheriff Wayne Rausch "
I remember him fondly. He pedaled that red bicycle for hundreds of miles from one end of the park to the other. We shared morning coffe with bagels and cream cheese, and burgers from the grill at lunch. He told me stories from his early days, and kept me laughing with his view of everything from politics to people.
Ultimately, he was a good man who made his mark during his time here on earth. May God bless you and those you left behind.
Sheriff Wayne Rausch "
Tom Keyser wrote on Jul 24, 2009 12:56 PM:
" Norm is someone who will always be remembered by anyone that has the pleasure of meeting him. I have known Ann and Norm since 2000 when approached by other members of the Benson Rotary to join that elite membership which I thoroughly enjoyed because of members like Norm. GOD has another use for him now. GOD Bless you Ann. Tom Keyser "
Terry Denise Celentano wrote on Jul 15, 2009 11:22 AM: