Richard J. Cook
Richard J. Cook, 88, of Oil City passed away Tuesday in Butler.
Born May 16, 1928, he was the son of the late Clarence and Florence Jewell Cook.
Richard was a brilliant man who started with nothing except his wits and built a successful career in the oil business in Pennsylvania. He read voraciously, worked in small town theater and arts groups, and became a leader in many political, community-based and charitable organizations.
Richard was mostly self-educated and instilled the value of learning in all of his 10 children.
He made lasting, strong friendships wherever he lived, including Oil City, Pa.; Warren, Pa.; Clearfield, Pa.; and Butler. Many will greatly miss his smile, his energy and his love.
Richard is survived by his loving companion, Patricia Forcht; his children, Nancy Cook Lawson, Richard J. Cook Jr., Alisa J. Cook, Jeffrey M. Cook, Diana M. Lesko, Ashley B. Cook, Allen B. Cook, Andrea B. Cook, Andrew B. Cook and Arec B. Cook.
Grandchildren surviving include Melissa Ciko, Gabriel Racz, Johannah Racz, Reilly Taylor-Cook, Bradley Cook, Alex Cook, Morgan Lesko, Cora Davis, Loren Davis, Drew Davis, Angus Cook and Allister Cook. Great-grandchildren also survive.
Richard's many accomplishments and associations include: the Dubois Country Club, the Phillipsburg Country Club, the Wenango Country Club and the Oil City, Twin Lakes Country Club (Wis.). He was a former lodge member of the Freemasons Lodge 241, Wilmot (Wis.), and a former member, Jaffa Shrine, Altoona and Clearfield.
His state and national distinctions include: member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association; administrative vice president of the Pennsylvania Junior Chamber of Commerce; national director of the Public Relations, U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce; founder and charter president of the Central Pennsylvania Petroleum Association; and member and honorary coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions Club.
Richard was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Jack; and his sister, Jeanine.
COOK — A viewing for Richard J. Cook, who died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Church in Clearfield with additional visitation from noon to 12:45 p.m. Monday at the Reinsel Funeral Home, 116 Bissell Ave., Oil City.Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Oil City.Interment will be at the Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 211 S. Second St., Clearfield, PA 16830.Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com.
