John R. Cookson obituary

#Middlebury #Obituary

Beloved father and grandfather

Mr. John R. Cookson, 77, of Middlebury passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 21, at Waterbury Hospital.

John was born March 16, 1945, in Waterbury, son of the late Edward M. Jr. and Marjorie F. (French) Cookson. Raised in Waterbury he attended local schools, was a graduate of Crosby High School ’63, and received his BS degree from Bryant College ’67. John then went on to work in sales for Starbuck Sprague Lighting and Waterbury Companies, later changing his career path to the flower and garden business for many years until becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), providing hospice and senior care for so many.

Active in many community affairs and committees, John was vice-chair of the Region 15 Board of Education, a member of the Republican Town Committee, an honorary member of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, Friends of Fenn’s Farm member, Land Preservation Committee member, former member of the Waterbury Rotary Club, a member of the Prospect Senior Center and an active member of St. George’s Episcopal Church. John gave his time freely and willingly to many organizations in and around the community and was an avid blood donor. John’s passion for being outside, the water, and pretty much all things green is what kept him going. He never found a plant that he couldn’t rescue and bring back to its original glory. John earned the nickname “cookie” for his love of baking which he always shared as an activity with his grandchildren. He also shared his passion for the outdoors by taking his grandchildren fishing.

Family was the joy and happiness of life for John. He is survived by his children, Melissa J. Berner and her husband, David, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; John E. Cookson and his wife, Marta, of N. Potomac, Maryland, and Marci A. McAllister and her husband, Ryan, of Burlington; and his grandchildren, Hayden Berner, Hunter Cookson, Sadie Cookson, Lanie Cookson, Kayden McAllister, Ella McAllister and Kallie McAllister.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church at 1 Tucker Hill Road in Middlebury. Burial in Center Cemetery in Goshen will be private. There are no calling hours. To send notes of sympathy and comfort to John’s family please visit his tribute page at www.berginfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to The Friends of Fenn’s Farm, P.O. Box 1290, Middlebury, CT 06762 or to the American Red Cross by visiting www.redcross.org.