Nii-gan-o-say Mii-en-gun
Wolf that breaks the trail
It is heavy hearts that we announced the passing of our beloved dad, papa, pops, big papa, brother, uncle, and friend, Vernon Percival Cook, who left this world peacefully surrounded by his family on September the 11th, 2026 at 93 years of age.
Dad is survived by his daughters, Verna (Keith) Bird, Honey Mussell, Susie (Jesse) Cochrane, and Angie (Garry) Quesnel, 12 grandchildren, Vernon, Jackie, Arthur, Crystal, Tessa, Ashley, Darren, Jesse, Richie, Vince, Destany, and Doran, 36 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren, his sisters who he loved dearly, Shirley Babichuk, Florence Chartrand, and Annie Laroque.
He was predeceased by his wife Dora of 61 years; son Joseph Wayne in infancy, daughter Carole, granddaughter Janine, his parents Godwin and Pearl, brothers Clifford, Gordon, Arnold, and Harvey; sisters Dora Favel, Gladys McPherson, Millie Staples, and Annabelle Thomas and special nephew Grant McPherson.
Dad was born and raised in Peguis, Manitoba. He grew up on a cattle farm on the old Ashern Road. Dad would tell us stories of how he and his sisters would play jokes on each other. One time Millie and Gladys covered the hay loft hole with hay and called him to come quickly because they saw a rat. He ran as fast as he could forgetting about the hole because he could not see it and fell through to the bottom. He knocked himself out of air and hurt his arm. His sisters laughed at him but when their mom saw what they did she made them do his chores. He told them, “Who’s laughing now?” This is only one short story of many that Dad would tell his family.
On January 7, 1959, Dad married the love of his life. Together they shared 61 years of marriage and raised their 5 daughters in Peguis, Manitoba. Dad work as a fisherman on Lake Winnipeg along side his friend Dempsy Flett who he said was a fun guy to work with. Dad also cut pulp in the winter for a few years until he started work with Brodsky Construction. While with Brodsky he built roads throughout Manitoba for several years and took great pride in telling his grandchildren which roads he helped build. Dad then decided he wanted to be closer to home. He walked up to James Orbanski and asked him for a job because he knew they were constructing a dike behind his house. James told him to show him what he could do and Dad did just that. James wouldn’t let him leave Orbanksi Construction until 1992 when a spinal injury forced Dad to retire.
Dad loved going for car rides all over the Interlake. He and Mom would pack a lunch and take in the sites. He enjoyed going to Bingo, auction and yard sales and searching for bears, elk and moose on his drives. Dad took pride in his yard and could often be seen cutting grass, tending his gardens, and puttering around. In later years dad enjoyed driving around Cookeville in his golf cart going house to house to visit with whomever was around, and hanging out in his tool shed.
Dad loved his grandchildren and he was always happy to see them. He taught them riddles and tongue twisters, drew them silly drawings, played card games, built them a slide and playhouse, cut bush trails, took them on tractor rides and let them follow him around the yard as he worked. Dad’s birthday was always a time when his family would gather for food, games, and fireworks. Dad had a special bond with his great-grandson Kingsley who would visit or call him everyday and was there whenever his papa needed him.
Funeral Service:
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Peguis Church, Peguis Manitoba
Viewing will be held from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Service to follow.
Officiant:
Pastor Wilfred Smith
Interment:
Peguis Wesleyan Methodist Church Cemetery
Lunch at Peguis Church to follow
Pallbearers:
Vernon Cook Jr, Arthur Cook, Richard Mussell, Vincent Mussell, Jesse Cochrane Jr,
and Darren Bird.
Honorary Pallbearers:
Kingsley Cook and Wayne Cook
Appreciation:
The family would like to thank, Northern Thunderbird Lodge, Peguis Senior Home, Erin Bird for checking on dad, Glen Cochrane for his guidance, Colleen’s Catering, Peguis Chief and Council, Peguis Gaming, the firekeepers, and Anderson Family Funeral Home.
The Creator saw you were getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around you
and whispered, “Come with me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you pass away,
And although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands to rest,
The Creator broke our hearts to prove to us;
He only takes the best.
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