Robert N. Cooke Robert North Cooke possessed traits not often found all in the same person. He was selfless, generous and kind and known for his sense of humor. A sense of humor that he did not lose even through a 20-year battle with skin cancer. Cooke died July 30, 2003 at the age of 74 from squamous cell skin cancer. Throughout the struggle of his last several years, he remained the humble man that garnered him the nickname of “Mr. Milford.” He was devoted to the city of Milford, CT and while living there he gave countless hours to civic organizations. “He was the consummate volunteer,” says Robert Gregory, director of the Chamber at the time Cooke was serving as its president. “He was involvedwith everything and had a particular love for tourism.”

Cooke also served as chairman of the Milford Red Cross, president of the Milford Kiwanis and as chairman of the United Way. He was on the board of Boys Village and a member of the Milford Club. He helped found the Milford Oyster Festival, a Connecticut summer highlight now in its 32nd year, and he initiated Milford Pride, a town beautification program.

Cooke was also very involved in his church, serving as a deacon and trustee at the First United Church of Christ Congregational.

Cooke was educated at Hopkins school in New Haven, CT and Yale University and served in the U.S. Army.

Cooke was a vice president of Connecticut National Bank, now Bank of America, for 35 years, but according to Diano Nytko, a fellow chamber member and Milford Oyster Festival organizer, “he was not your average staid banker.” His wife Sharon confirms the sentiment. “He had a great sense of humor. We spent a lot of time laughing. He felt if you could laugh, you could get through anything.”

Even with the amount of time spent working or volunteering, Cooke did not sacrifice time from his wife Sharon and their three children, John, Robert and Sherrill. He leaves them with strong family ties and memories of being their biggest fan in their sports and musical endeavors.

Nytko aptly states, “The world is going to be a little sadder place without him.”

The Bob Cooke Memorial Trek Against Skin Cancer honors the memory of Robert Cooke.