Deacon Michael H. Cook

In the early morning hours of November 29, 2017, surrounded by his children and his devoted and loving wife, our father, Michael Cook, passed away in his home after an ongoing battle with cancer.  He was 76.

He is the son of Henry and Evelyn Cook, who precede him in death.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rose Cook, his eldest son, Jonathan Cook, his only daughter, Sarah Thomas and her husband Billy Thomas with their lovely children of Sophia, Olivia, Evelyn, and Henry, and his youngest son, Aaron Cook and his wife Devon Hanley Cook and their two sassy girls, Savoy and Verona.  One brother, Phillip Cook, also survives him.

Deacon Michael Henry Cook was born in Chicago, Illinois.  He left home early to join the priesthood, but lucky for his children, he met his bride and was ordained a deacon through the Order of the Franciscan whose motto he lived; “peace and the good”.  He devoted his life to helping those in need and was a hospital chaplain who ministered to the sick and dying.  He received his BA from the University of Dayton in Theology and Philosophy, his MA from the University of Notre Dame du Lac in Liturgy, and his DMIN from Saint Mary of the Lake where his thesis was entitled Faith in Suffering Spirituality of Those Impacted by HIV/AIDS.  Despite all his accomplishments and accolades, he was most proud of his children, especially his oldest son Jonathan. 

A wake will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and the celebration of the liturgy will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017, at 10:30am at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) Catholic Church in Palos Park, Illinois.

Instead of mourning, I leave you with something my father told me in his final weeks; “life is so very short, please enjoy every minute of it.”  In lieu of flowers, please practice “peace and the good” in life, especially to the least amongst us in society

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