JAY — Reginald R. Cook, 80, of Jay is now home with Jesus as of Saturday, Aug. 25. He passed away at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, as a result of pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born on Henry Ford’s 75th birthday, July 30, 1938, in Livermore Falls. He was the son of Erwin L. and Phyllis M. (White) Cook. He was educated in Jay schools and was in the Class of 1956. On Dec. 20, 1961, he married Sandra L. Hobert of Farmington. Together they raised five daughters. He was employed by the Oxford Paper Co., which was later Boise Cascade, in Rumford. In 1997, after nearly 41 years of employment with the Rumford mill, he retired as head bleacher at the age of 58. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Wilton.

He was passionate about Jesus, family and Fords. He loved relentlessly and will always be remembered for his dedication, loyalty and sacrifice for those he cared about. He was truly a gift to mankind and would do anything to help others. He could always be counted on because he was a man of his word. He was a man of countless talents, a “jack-of-all-trades, master of none,” he would humbly say, but anyone could see he was the master of many. He could often be found tinkering on something or working in the woods. Anything his (enormous!) hands found to do, he did so with such meticulous care; his finished projects would always amaze everyone. He had an outstanding work ethic like no other.

He had a hilarious sense of humor and a great “ear-to-ear” grin. He told the best stories (that got better each time!) of fast rides on old dirt roads, back in the day when they “knew how to build a car.” He had a way with words that was signature to him, often triggering laughter. He enjoyed family get-togethers, socializing over breakfast with friends and family, history, old-time country music, Farmall tractors, long rides in the country and camping with his family at Middle Unknown and Gassabias Lakes in Hancock County. He was very knowledgeable about many things and found great joy in sharing his knowledge, especially about Fords. He touched the lives of those around him, and his character had meaningful influence on those who knew him. He has forever impacted those who loved him and is sorely missed by them. He loved Jesus and his greatest desire is to be reunited someday, in Heaven, with all his loved ones he leaves behind.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Cook, of Jay; daughters Patti Cook of Jay, Shari Maxwell and her husband, John, of Leeds, Kathy Thompson and her husband, Shawn, of Wilton, Teri Poulin and her fiance, Greg Snowden, of Greenville and Christine Wilsey and her husband, John, of Livermore Falls; sister, Betty Goglia, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; grandchildren Michelle, Crystal, Jamie, DJ, David, Dana, Derek, Shauna, Brittany, Racheal, Brandon, Caitlyn, Mykayla, Destiny, Nathaniel, Dominic, Josiah, Ellyannah; 16 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, David Hobert, of Farmington; and many he considered family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Erwin L. and Phyllis M.; brothers William Cook, Alan ‘Skeeter’ Cook; and sister, Mary Ellen True.

The family would like to thank Nurse Penny for her compassion toward him in her home visits.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Reginald R. Cook

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