JOSEPH N. COOK

Joseph Cook, age 81, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2022 from a long battle of cancer surrounded by family at his side. He battled cancer for over 10 years, fighting multiple bouts of the terrible disease with such grace and poise. He possessed a strength that most would have difficulty enduring and was an inspiration to many.

He was a beloved husband of Barbara (nee Lyczek, father to Vincent (Nicki), Anthony (Amy), Christopher (Jeannie) and Suzanne Gross (Howie) and grandfather to Brandi Garsteck, Alexis Cook, Howie and Ashley Gross, brother of Marie Anzalone (late Nick) and the late Jetta Riley.

He grew up on Cleveland’s West Side and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1960. He met the love of his life at SS Kresge Company back when he was 14 years old. He and his wife, Barbara, were married in 1962 and were together for over 60 years. He was a quiet, reserved man who always kept his cool and was very well respected for that. He spent most of his time being a great family man and took pride in being a hard worker. In December 1965, Joe opened his own barber shop at the Winton Place in Lakewood, working for over 53 years cutting men’s hair such as Art Model, Bob Fairchild Sr. and Jr. and Dick Jacobs. One snowy day, Dick Jacob’s secretary called to make an appointment for a haircut. Joe didn’t go into work for the day due to the big snow storm. Mr. Jacob needed his hair cut, so he sent a car to pick up Joe to cut his hair. Joe took pride in being the best he could be and was a person that everyone could count on. 

Throughout the years of his life, Joseph enjoyed listening to Buddy Rich and other jazz musicians, playing his drums and attending Drum and Bugle Corp. competitions. He was also an amazing cook preparing the best Italian dishes such as his famous spaghetti and meatballs. He was a wine snob, food critic, good gardener, and big lover of his cigars, earning him his nickname “Smokey Joe”. He's the reason his four children Vince, Tony, Chris, and Suzanne are great cooks and food snobs as well. He taught his children mostly by being a good role model himself, always displaying good morals, values and a kind, loving spirit.  He was a man of few words, so when he did speak, everyone listened. He was the glue that kept our family together. He worked hard to provide for his family. He never complained about how much he worked or how tired he was. We always knew if we needed something, we could count on our father. He was an incredible role model. 

As well as being a loving father, he was a wonderful grandfather to his four grandchildren whom he took great pride in. He lived for his family and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with them as well as their pets, who he always tried to kidnap for himself. He loved to joke around and always knew their grandfather was there to lend a listening ear and he loved them no matter what.

Joseph will greatly be missed by his family and his friends. His presence will forever be remembered and his memory will live on. His strong will to fight for his life was an inspiration to many and one that we can all learn from. He never complained about how hard his sickness was and never wanted to be the center of attention. He would not want us to be sad, but to remember him for the good times and to focus on the happiness in our lives. He will always be remembered as the humble man that he was by those of us who knew him and loved him.

A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Friday November 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday 3 - 7 PM at THE A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130 (WEST of I-71) 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.