Tribute

Walter Cook passed away peacefully on May 17, 2022 in his home at the age of 86. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Virginia, and his three proud daughters Julie, Kathy, and Gina. Walter is predeceased by his parents, Evelyn and Gary Cook, and his six siblings.

Walter will be truly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Virginia; daughters Julie (Dan) Hodak, Kathy (Paul) Abel, and Gina Nixon; seven grandchildren, Shane (Ana) Hodak, Alicia (Jeremiah) Saunders, Jordan (Kate) Hodak, Vanessa (Brandon) Cross, Jeff (Emma) Abel, Brett (Zoe) Abel, and Jesse Nixon; five great grandchildren, April Saunders, Luca, Jaylee, and Kenzie Cross, and Rylan Hodak. We are all so blessed to be his family and grateful for the amazing unconditional love he always shared.

Walter grew up in Wainwright, Alberta where he was raised in a very talented musical family. He taught himself to play the guitar and embraced country, gospel, and blue grass music. A job prospect brought him to BC at the age of 19. His early career in highway engineering took him to the Fraser Canyon and Lytton where he met and married his wife, Virginia. Together with their three young daughters, they moved around BC transferring from one highway project to another, including the Mount Kobau Observatory project in Osoyoos in 1965. They loved Osoyoos and decided to return a year later to start a career in real estate. Walter worked with Fraser Real Estate where he soon became the highly respected Owner/Agent all while studying and obtaining a degree from UBC. He combined his engineering expertise and real estate ambition to develop several residential subdivisions in Osoyoos. Walter was well known in the community as he was involved with the Chamber of Commerce and consulted on many town projects throughout his 40-year business career. The legacy of Walter and Virginia Cook and their downtown Osoyoos office building, named ‘Cook Centre’ in their honour, will be carried on by family.

Walter was a very gracious, kind, stylish and respected gentleman. Throughout his entire life Walter was a rock everyone could depend on. He was always concerned about everyone else before himself. He was also a gifted guitar player and enjoyed playing for family and friends. He was very proud of his family for their accomplishments, talents, love and compassion and he truly valued time together. We all shared many happy memories together traveling, playing music, hosting dinner parties and chatting late into the night. Walter was a very generous man with a loving soft spot for children and pets. He was a proud supporter of the BC Children’s Hospital and BCSPCA for decades.

Thank you to Dr. De Vries, all the nurses who cared for Walter, Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, family, friends, and neighbours, for the tremendous care and support. If you wish, please make a donation in Walter’s honour to the BC Children’s Hospital or the BCSPCA.

Walter’s talents, music, devoted love and wisdom will continue on in the hearts and lives of all of his family. He is unforgettable and is already so deeply missed. At Walter’s request, there will be no funeral service. Instead, the family will be having a private music filled Celebration of Life ceremony in July.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com