Gormley Cook, 95, of Waterford, passed away on May 29, 2012 at Manchester Presbyterian Lodge in Erie. Born in North Braddock, PA, on April 20, 1917, Gormley was raised by his mother Mary Ada Haupt and stepfather Ernie Haupt. He was a graduate of Clifford B. Connelly Trade School in Pittsburgh. Shortly after securing work at General Electric in Erie and moving to Waterford, he enrolled in the Army and proudly served in World War II. Following the War he returned to Waterford and General Electric, where he worked for thirty-seven years in the Locomotive and Car Equipment Division.
Gormley was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Cook, his brother Ernie Cook, and his sister Orel Browning. He is survived by his wife Lois Cook, whom he married on November 23, 1974, his sons Richard Cook and Gary Cook, his daughter Gay Cook, and his stepchildren Karl Kramer and Karen Kramer-Cave. Gormley is also survived by his grandchildren Scott Cook, Joshua Cook, Jordan Cook, Justin Cook, Cheney Gundersen, Michael Cave and Robert Cave, and by his great-grandchildren Landon Cook, Siena Cook, Nathan Cook, Luke Gundersen, and Ty Gundersen.
Gormley was an excellent father and loving husband. He was a wonderful teacher; always finding time to impart wisdom while having the patience to allow his family to put the new skills that he taught them into practice. He could always fix what was broken and build what needed to be built, including his house on Chestnut Street which he proudly helped to construct. Gormley?????s steadfast commitment to provide and care for his family allowed them to live in comfort and peace. Spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him much joy, and he was a source of inspiration to them.
Gormley loved Waterford, where he lived for over seventy years, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. But he never lost interest in his hometown, avidly reading the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette daily and rooting for the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, and Pitt Panthers.
Gormley?????s family mourns his passing and the void in their lives that it creates, but they are thankful for the experiences that they shared with him, the guidance that he provided, and the love that continues to unite them.
Calling Hours will be held from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Sunday, June 3 at the Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford, where the funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 4. A committal service will follow at the Erie County Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared at www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.
Gay, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
To the family of Mr Gormley Cook, most notably his daughter Gay, you have my deepest sympathy at this time. It is never easy to say goodbye to such a loving and respected patriarch of a family, no matter what the age. However, do not dwell on the loss but instead, rejoice in the memories of all the good times and triumphs, in all that he has touched, and in all that he has left behind to be loved. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.