Norman Camroux Cooke
I am deeply saddened to announce, my father Norman Cooke, passed away early Saturday morning, April 3rd, of a rare cancer, just 23 days shy of his 92nd birthday. I (William) son of Norman, and my girlfriend Emi, were by his side holding his hand through the night. He was made comfortable his final week thanks to the medical nurses at The Views Hospice in Comox, overlooking the Harbor, which he use to refer to as his “playground” when he was a boy. I am profoundly touched by the outpouring of love shown to my father in his final days, and for myself in the weeks that have followed. He was an amazing gentleman, father, grandfather, husband, provider and friend. We will miss him so. A brief look back at his life is as follows.
Norman was the youngest child of Heber and Stella Cooke. Heber Cooke was a druggist who moved to Courtenay in 1922 and had a drugstore on 5th street. In 1941 his family moved to Comox and built a house on what is now Ellis Street. Norm’s father Heber was one of the original four commissioners of the village of Comox and the street “Cooke Ave.” is named after him. Norm graduated from Comox High School in 1946. His love of both Piano and Organ since he was a young boy earned him this quote in his High School year book. “A musical boy working his way to a Bachelor of Art. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be our next Mozart!” In 1945 Norm’s parents bought a house in Kye Bay for a vacation place and would later retire there. In 1947 Norm attended University in Edmonton and later Hollywood California to study audio engineering. He became a recording engineer and work for CBC Radio and CJOR as a sound mixer and was credited for his part in pioneering the first stereo broadcast in Canada, using the radio and television to achieve the prospective left and right channels. In 1959 Norman travelled to New York looking to further his career in sound and landed a Job with RCA! In a bold move, RCA, relocated him to Hollywood, California to open the new studios there. Norm found the job with the assistance of a “pretty, young thing” at the NABET union office in New York and he was fond of saying, “I was so appreciative of her getting me the job, I married her!”
Mary Lou and Norman where married on her birthday, Feb. 28th 1959 at The Little Brown Church In The Valley in San Fernando Valley, California. After settling in to Hollywood, as a honeymoon they toured Europe for eight months. Upon their return to California they bought a house in the north west end of the San Fernando Valley where Norm would go to work for the Muzak industry working on installing their sound systems. Norm and Mary Lou would have two children, Jill in 1961 and William in 1966. In 1970 Norm would inherit his parents home in Kye Bay upon his mothers passing. And his two brothers would inherit the pharmacy property on 5th St. The “Bay” would become a wondrous summer retreat for the Mary and his two children, and for two weeks he would join them on the beach. Norm would soon begin his own business in audio cassette duplication, and would successfully build the business until buying a 10,000 square foot building and having a 18 person crew that ran two shifts. In 1999 Norm sold the business staying on for the transition until officially retiring in 2001.
In 2005 Norm lost his beloved wife to her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. And in a tragic turn would lose his 17 year old Grandson Mathew (son of Jill) in 2008, and his Daughter Jill, just a few years later. After which Norman would decide to leave California and join his son, and live out his years, in their Kye Bay home, to which William had moved in 5 years earlier.
And he would do so, finding happiness again, after so much loss. With his new community, he reconnected with his childhood Church “Saint John the Devine”. He was able to create close bonds and friendship with new friends and neighbours, and was beloved amongst those who knew him. In 2019 Norman would play an Organ and Piano concert at Saint John’s with his dear friend Peter Walker, and the performance was sold out to rave review. Although he did not know it at the time, this would turn out to be Norman’s swan song. And it was beautiful. At the end of the performance Norm gave a special dedication to “Prince of Peace Episcopal Church” in Woodland Hills California. For the 40 years he cherished being a member of their congregation and to Saint John’s welcoming him into theirs.
Norman is survived by his Son William. Nephews Dale and David. Nieces Maida and Yvonne. Cousins Ron, Colleen, Sheila, David, Tim, Rowynn, Ken, Sharon, Phil and Donna. His many visits to their warm homes brought such needed joy and peace to his heart.
Rest in peace Dad. I love you.