Robert "Bob" O. Cooke

Robert "Bob" Cooke ,71, of Hillsborough passed away on May 2, 2021 at the Moncton Hospital with his family by his side.

 

Bob was born in Edgett's Landing on August 4, 1949 the son of the late Clarence and Evelyn (Milton) Cooke.

 

Bob was a very successful entrepreneur and respected businessman.  He built his empire from the ground up and worked very hard to achieve all his goals and accomplishments.  He owned and operated Cooke's Convenience store and Gas Bar for several years in his hometown of Hillsborough, employing several generations of people over the years.  He owned apartment buildings, stores, restaurants, and dabbled in just about every business opportunity that came his way. His passion was  Hillsborough Auto Sales where he was able to wheel and deal the classics and fulfill people getting their dream vehicle.  He was a very important part of the economical growth not only in  Hillsborough but all of Albert County and the surrounding areas.  

 

He enjoyed fast cars, he always put the pedal to the metal, as they say, and was not afraid of speed. The faster the better for Bob on any machine.  He had a collection of vehicles including his Harley Davidson Motorcycles and many unique cars.  His garage was a gathering place for all his friends and where he kept all his collections,  everything was pristine. It was known as the Garage Mahal with something for everyone - cars, trucks, snowmobiles and motorcycles - talk about a "man cave"!   He took his classic cars to car shows to let others have the opportunity to see his restored beauties.  Bob was the go to guy for the local proms and parades for his classic cars.  He belonged to the Corvette Club and hosted events at his place.  He was a founding member of the Hillsborough Cruisers.  He was a member of the Masonic Howard Lodge #15 in Hillsborough and the Luxor Shriners Club of NB.  He rode his Harley and went on several bike trips with his buddies over the years, including his annual Laconia trip for over 25 years.  He enjoyed snowmobiling and being outdoors on the trails.  Bob never turned down an adventure and was always willing to join in the fun.  He lived his life to the fullest.  Bob has a lifetime of stories that will be shared for years to come with laughter and smiles all around as they reminisce.

 

Over the years Bob had his group of friends that became family.  His family and friends meant everything to him.  He knew he couldn't have done everything in his life if he hadn't had the support and love of his wife, Lana who was always by his side.   His son Jeff, who has taken over some of his businesses, he was SO proud. His grandchildren were grown up and in the process of making their own little families and he felt blessed to get to know his great grandsons, Easton and Jackson.  They celebrated holidays, birthdays and anniversaries in a big way and everyone got together for a hearty meal.  Bob was never one to show a lot of emotion but he definitely was loyal to those who were in his inner circle.  He will be remembered for his kindness and for his big heart.  He would not want anyone to be sad but to know he had a great life and did things his way.   He was one of a kind.   "You can shed tears that he is gone, Or you can smile because he lived, You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back, Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left, do what he would want, smile, love and go on."  

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Lana; son Jeff (Tracy) ; his treasured grandchildren, Alisha (Stephen), Mitchell (Keisha); his precious great grandsons, Easton and Jackson all of Hillsborough; his brothers Weston Beaumont of Moncton and Byron Cooke of Hillsborough; mother-in-law, Janet Steeves of Hillsborough; sisters-in-law, Nancy Jonah (Danny) of Hillsborough and Susan Fenton of Albert Mines.  He will also be missed by special niece, Stacey Dejardins (Rene) and great-great niece, Kenadee along with several nieces, nephews and by all his extended family and good friends.

 

Besides his parents he was predeceased by his sisters, Sharon Hawkes, Faye Tower (Gerald) and Ada Cooke; father-in-law, Sheldon Steeves; brother-in-law, Vaughn Fenton.