Obituary of Charles R. Cook

Charles R. Cook

Rochester, NY on March 27, 2018 of natural causes. Charles was predeceased by his parents, Charles Dufner and Marian Young Cook. Long-time resident of Pittsford, he is survived by his loving wife, Anne Catherine; children C. David (Suzanna) of Naples, FL; James Alan (Caroline Willis) of Palo Alto, CA; Deborah Routt (William) of Alexandria, VA; Lara Walker of Washington, DC; six grandchildren: Scott (Meg), Peter (Amanda), Gavan and Vivian, Lindsay and Schuyler Routt; four great-grandchildren: Bodie, Brinley, Henry and Kieran Cook.

He also leaves behind Genevieve, Alain and Fabienne Noel as well as many dear friends: Barbara and Kiri Amarakoon; Gail Blanchard; Jane Domiano; Mary and Tim Feltz; Katherine, Madeleine and Steve Fukami-Ginsburg; Peter and Waltraud Habich; Polly and Kyle Hanna; Marty Horowitz; Janice and John Howe; Samuel Lamendola; John Maher; Brian Murray; John and Diane Parrinello; David and Wendy Pike. His faithful Golden Retriever, "Samson," was by his side.

Cook was a 1938 graduate of the Aquinas Institute and attended Syracuse University. He was the office manager for Capitol Wine and Spirits Corporation when he enlisted in August 1941. He graduated from the U. S. Antiaircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School, Camp Davis NC, transferred to the Infantry, and was shipped to the European theatre of war in October 1944. He served as platoon leader, first lieutenant, 78th Infantry Division, U. S. First Army when he was captured on December 16, 1944, in the Battle of the Bulge. He survived incarceration in POW camp Stalag 13D, Nuremberg. He was liberated in April 1945 and later received the European-Africa-Middle Eastern medal, for his service in the Ardennes-Alsace campaign. In December 1945, Cook was awarded the Purple Heart.

Following the war, Charles was promoted to captain and commanding officer of Company D, 10th Battalion, Infantry Replacement Training Center, Camp Wheeler, Macon GA. When he returned to Rochester, he reported for active duty in the U.S. Army Reserve, and later transitioned to the individual ready reserves. He also resumed his career.

He worked for over 30 years at the Universal Liquor Corporation, retiring as general manager and corporate controller. His second career was with the United States Postal Service (USPS): he joined as a mail handler, and became a supervisor at the Jefferson Road, Henrietta NY processing facility. He was the oldest of nearly 100,000 USPS district staff in eight states, and the only full-time employee to attain 90 years of age, or more, when he retired in 2013.

Charles' family wishes to thank all those who have contributed to his care, including Lynn Calvert and staff, Dr. Brenda Baratta, and the wonderful teams at Lifetime Care and Hildebrandt Hospice.

His family will receive friends Monday May 21st, 4-6pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy S.) where his memorial service will be held on Tuesday 10:30am. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Basilian Fathers Missions, Saint Joseph Center, Sugar Land TX 77487 or Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center, Rochester NY, 14623.