Obituary of Warren Cook

COOK, Warren B., Sr. age 79 of Mahwah and Seaside Park formerly of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the Hackensack University Medical Center. Warren was born in Brooklyn, NY to Dr. William and Marion Cook on March 30, 1930. He was a graduate of Poly Prep., Brooklyn, NY in 1948 and attended Hobart College in Geneva, NY. Warren worked for the Continental Insurance Companies before establishing his own Insurance Agency, Cook Insurance Associates Inc. of Ridgewood, NJ. He later affiliated with Eastern Insurors in Midland Park, NJ prior to his retirement. Warren served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was past president of the Bergen County Independent Insurance Agents Association. In 1991, he was honored as the Insurance Man of the Year for the State of New Jersey. For the past 30 years he has been the president of the Frederick A. Cook Society, which recognizes the polar exploration accomplishments of his great uncle Dr. Cook including his attainment of the North Pole in 1908. Warren was also a member of the Explorers Club of New York. As a young father, Warren was active in community sports with his children in Wayne. Warren had many treasured memories with his family at the Jersey Shore. Surviving are his devoted children, Warren B. Cook, Jr. and his wife Mary Ellen of Pequannock and Marion and her husband Bill Ahearn of Ramsey. Warren also leaves his adored grandchildren, Brian, Daniel and Sarah, his sister Carol Jean Kissane and his faithful companions Butch and Cookie. Warren was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Joan (nee Kraus) in 2006 and his brothers William in 1938 and Donald in 1985. The Cook family will receive friends and family on Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ from 2:00 until 4:00 and 7:00 until 9:00 PM. A prayer service will be held Friday evening at 8:00 PM. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Brooklyn on Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 258, Marlboro, NJ 07746.