South Reading, VT – Frederick G. Cook, 87, died on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at peace in his home in South Reading, VT. Fred was born on June 6, 1936, a middle child of parents James R. and Mary G. (Wise) Cook and grew up around Enfield, NH. As a young man he met Emily Nelson; the two married in 1957 and moved to the Claremont, NH area. He was an avid gardener and was proud of the vegetables he grew each season to help provide food for their family throughout the year. After many years of marriage, the two parted ways and a short time later, through mutual friends he met and married Shirley Sherer. He welcomed Shirley's two children into his family and they lived in South Reading.

Fred's life was punctuated by kindness, joy, and although he had a schedule to keep, he also knew how to slow down and take one's time to enjoy the small moments.

He was an excellent mason, staying busy during his working years laying brick and helping neighbors and family members with their chimneys and fireplaces. On drives with others, he enjoyed proudly pointing out projects along the way he'd had a part in building. At home, he was a clever engineer, finding ways to improve mechanical functions, fix anything that was broken, or build whatever needed to be built.

In Shirley's later years, he became her dedicated caregiver, ensuring that she was comfortable and was able to stay in the home they dearly loved for as long as possible. His kindness and generosity extended far beyond his family too, helping friends and neighbors and volunteering at the South Reading Food Shelf.

It often seemed that Fred knew every back road in New England since he thought nothing of setting out on road trips without a map to some obscure destination in seemingly the middle of nowhere for the best cider doughnut or breakfast. In recent years, he enjoyed going to breakfast with his daughter every Monday morning and Sunday visits with his sister Shirley Hoyt.

Faith and a spiritual connection were important to Fred and he felt closest to God on Sunday mornings at church, first in the old stone church in South Reading and most recently at the Brownsville Community Church.

Everyone who met Fred was charmed by his humor, wit, and kind nature and he will be tremendously missed by those whose lives he touched.

Fred is survived by two daughters Katherine Dennis and Sami Dubois and husband Todd, all of Claremont, NH; one stepdaughter Connie Ruggles and husband Brent of Maine; one sister Shirley Hoyt of Tunbridge, VT; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Cook, stepson Wayne Sherer, and four siblings Robert Cook, Mary Speth, Frankie Cook, and Ruth Cook.

A small gathering to celebrate his life will be held at the beginning of June.