I’ll wait here!

Welcome to the online service of remembrance for my dad Sam Cook who passed away on June 30th 2024.  This is a page of reflection and visual tribute. Sam could never resist a bit of karaoke and you may have noticed (if you have autoplay enabled) On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine by Laurel & Hardy playing, this was his signature karaoke tune, which can be turned off or replayed using the play button on the centre left of your screen, you can also click on any picture to view it at full size.

Incase you are wondering the relevance of the page title “I’ll wait here!”, it is because if you ever visited Sam upon leaving he always said “I’ll wait here!”, it was his way of saying farewell, hope to see you again.

Sam Cook

January 1940 – June 2024

Reflection including visual tribute

Humour was at the heart of who Sam was. Always able to look on the bright side of life.

Even when he was diagnosed with cancer he never forgot to live life to the full and continued to make those typical Sam jokes, as well as keeping himself busy whether in the garage, out with family or in the allotment. As we now take this time to sit and reflect on the man Sam was for each of us, we allow photos to help us revisit some of the memories that the family hold dear. Although the moments in these pictures have passed, photographs will forever capture that specific time, emotion and memory forever.

The song ‘On the trial of the lonesome pine’ also tells a story. Sam never minded being the centre of attention and if the option of Karaoke was on the table, he was more than happy to give the crowd a show.  This song by Laurel and Hardy became his party piece.

During a trip to Newquay with Ann, he did such a good job entertaining the holiday makers that the team at the holiday site actually asked if he could come back for the summer season. Among the grief of today, I hope Sam’s song can fill you with the same joy it did for him.

The infamous coffin chair

The pictures above depict “The infamous coffin chair”.  In keeping with Sam’s wicked sense of humour during December 2023 and into January 2024 Sam built his coffin chair, debuting at the workshop mid January 2024. Built out of plywood fashioned around an old dining chair it was a source of great ammusment to visitors seeing him sitting in the chair working on his latest project restoring an old Massey Ferguson tractor, a project that unfortunately he would never get to complete.  We do not know if  Sam had a premonition and this was his cryptic message to us or it is cursed but would you dare to sit in the coffin chair?

Dad’s final resting place