Richard Harold Cook

"Palm Bay, FL, Richard "Dick" Harold Cook, 75, died Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at his home. Born in Holyoke, MA, June 1, 1939, he was the son of Harold and Ida (Lamoureaux) Cook. He grew up in Belchertown, MA and was a 1957 graduate of Belchertown High School. Dick was a Navy veteran serving during Vietnam, having been stationed at Guantanamo Bay. While in the service he served as a medic and coroner. He furthered his education at New England Institute of Anatomy in Boston where he obtained his certificate as a funeral director and embalmer and worked from 1963 - 1973 with his uncle, Herbert Story, at the Beers & Story Funeral Home. He then relocated to Florida where he opened Dick's Services, a landscape and home maintenance company in Wabasso, FL. He owned that business until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Masons and, in his leisure, he was an ultimate hot rod enthusiast and a previous member of The Road Radicals and The Space Coast Street Rods clubs in Florida. He will be deeply missed by his 3 children, Heidi Starkey & Rob Wegnerowski of Palm Bay, FL, and Kim Williamson of Melbourne, FL. He also leaves his 6 grandchildren, Taylor & Robert Starkey of Palm Bay, Nicole & Amber Williamson of Melbourne, Brianna Melanson of Belchertown, MA., and Jenna Wegnerowski of Palm Bay and one great grandchild, Mason Starkey of Palm Bay. He also leaves his sister, Sharon Page and nephews Darryl and Brian Page of Springfield, MA, his aunt Betty Story in Palmer, MA and many friends. A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Belchertown. "