Life-long resident of Norwich, Howard L Cook, 90, passed peacefully in his home on October 14, 2016 He attended Hanover high school then served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force as a radio operator in C47 transport planes, receiving his Honorable Discharge on June 29, 1946 as Corporal. Enlisting January 12, 1944, he served both in the U.S. and in Europe as part of the 442D Troop Carrier Group as a RADIO OPR MECH 2756. Decorations included the American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Medal of Good Conduct, EAME Campaign Medal and the World War 11 Victory Medal. After his discharge, he served the Vermont State Guard. In private life, he volunteered on the Norwich Fire Department for over 40 years, including time as Assistant Chief.
A quiet, private, giving man with a big smile, he was always willing to help out his neighbors. He was a strong supporter of the Norwich Boy and Girl Scout Troops. Each spring found him in the sugarhouse making maple syrup. Howard and Marian ran a successful small dairy farm, while working first for the Sargent Coal Company in Lewiston, then for over 30 years he was the trusted and highly respected backhoe operator for his brother's L. H. Cook, Excavating Company. He loved his Ferguson and Kubota tractors and homemade Apple Pie…he was quite an accomplished pie maker himself.
Howard was predeceased by his first wife, Marian (Hewes – 29 years, married September 1, 1947), an infant son, John, his parents Comrey and Mattie Cook; and two brothers Leonard and Gordon Cook.
He is survived by his wife Connie (Bushway) of 36 years; they married October 4, 1980. four children: Louise Lang and her husband Anthony of Coker, AL, and their sons David, Daniel and Brian; George and his wife Dorothy of Hyde Park and their children Wendy, Dennis and Heather, Frances Walz and her husband Terry of Norwich and their son Tyler; Jane Yandow and her husband Tom of Essex Jct. and their children Marian, Sarah, Amy and Timothy; and step-daughter Dr. Sherre Stebbins and her husband Lloyd Byrd of Cutler Ridge, FL. Howard has 6 great grandchildren. Howard has two sisters: Bertha Brown and husband Elmer, Dora Spaulding and husband Fred, brothers in law Bob and Evelyn Bushway, and Bud Bushway and sister in law Carol Bushway.
A private graveside service will be held in the Hillside Cemetery in Norwich, VT at the convenience of the family. An open house will be held at the Norwich Grange in Norwich from 3-5PM on Wednesday , October 19. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction has been entrusted with arrangements.
Howard's family would like to share special thanks for the continued care of the Veteran's Administration Hospital in White river, to his doctor, Dr. Hugh Huizenga whose loving care and support included numerous house calls, and the Bayada Home Health Care and Hospice group.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Howard's name to either the Norwich Fire Department or the Bayada Home Health Care and Hospice.