John Leonard Cooke

AUBURN - John Leonard Cooke, 62, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on October 23, 2022, after a short illness, with beloved family by his side.

John was born in Worcester, the son of Leonard and Alice (James) Cooke and was a lifelong resident of Central Massachusetts.

John was always a hard worker, excelling and taking pride in each of his occupations. He spent his younger years running his own landscaping business. For the next thirty years he worked in the plastics industry, and finally for his later years he enjoyed his time has senior custodian within the Wachusett School District.

John was an adventurer. He loved scuba diving off the shores of Gloucester where he once caught a twenty-three pound lobster which he displayed in his home for many years. He also had a passion for woodworking. He was quite talented and built many creative and beautiful pieces throughout the years, most notably “The Organizer”. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and football where he proudly rooted for both the Patriots and the Dolphins. He took great pride in his lawn and had an eye for landscaping. John will be fondly remembered by his two daughters for the amazing childhood that he gave them.

John will be lovingly missed and remembered by his partner, Wendy Karpowich of Auburn; his daughters, Kristin Jo-Ann Norwood and her husband, David of Auburn, and Katelyn Marie Cooke of West Boylston; his mother, Alice Cooke of Worcester; his brother, Robert Cooke of Worcester; his sisters, Theresa Mulryan and her husband, Dennis of West Boylston, and Patricia Warren and her husband, Wayne of Orange, CT; his grandchildren, Derek Cooke, Ryan Cooke, Nathan Norwood and Nolan Norwood; and his former wife and mother of his daughters, Jo-Ann Cooke. He was predeceased by his father, Leonard Cooke, his brother, Thomas Cooke and his sister-in-law, Lisa Cooke.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 27th in Miles-Sterling Funeral & Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. Funeral services will follow immediately at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with The Reverend Robin Bartlett of First Church of Sterling officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Church Street, West Boylston.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 ( www.childrenshospital.org ).