James Cook

James (Jim) Vincent Cook, age 81 years, of Reston, VA passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, May 27, 2016. He was born in Rensselaer, NY on November 1, 1934, to parents, Edward J. and Cathleen Noonan Cook. He graduated from St. John's Academy High School in 1951 and received a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Siena College. Following college, Jim joined the Navy in which he served on the USS HaleDD642. Upon return from the Navy, he married Barbara Leake on May 10, 1958. Jim was an active member of the community as a volunteer fireman with E.F. Hart Hose Fire Company. He was a proud honorary life member and past Grand Knight of the Rensselaer Council #267 Knights of Columbus and served as Alderman for the 8th Ward. He worked for Mobil Oil as an auditor, and later for ExxonMobil a combined 54 years. Later in life, he and wife Barbara were foster parents to 28 newborn babies through Catholic Charities in Arlington, VA. He was an avid Notre Dame and Navy football fan, who loved to tailgate at the Naval Academy. He also enjoyed vacationing with his family in the Outer Banks, NC and loved to go camping with his wife Barbara to the "tin can on rocks" located in Thurmont, MD. Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years Barbara Cook, of Reston, VA and two brothers Cornelius Cook, of Rensselaer, NY, and Edward Cook, of Moorestown, NJ. Jim's late siblings include his brother William P. Cook, sister Kathleen Schermerhorn, and brother Joseph P. Cook. He is also survived by eight children Linda Goodwin, of Portland, OR; Eileen Jacobs, of Leesburg, VA; Michael Cook, of Arnold, MD; Christine Ryan, of Reston, VA; Nancy Ryan, of Sterling, VA; William Cook, of Placentia, CA; Carol Genovese of Forest Hills, NY; Edward Cook, of Rensselaer, NY. Jim is survived by sixteen wonderful grandchildren who will miss him dearly, along with several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Funeral from the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer Saturday morning at 9:00 and 10:00 at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Church on Herrick Street, Rensselaer, where the liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Friday from 5-8 p.m. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.