Lawrence J. Cook Sr., ITE Circuit Breaker employee
The father of eight, he was a devoted family man
MANY LONGTIME residents of West Philadelphia retain fond memories of Uncle Pete's barbecue pit at 52d Street and Baltimore Avenue.
Those who were children especially remember hanging out at the pit in the summer, where they enjoyed the delights of free food, snacks, and the best water ice in West Philly.
At Christmastime, Pete sold Christmas trees at the same location, and it was no surprise that his family had the biggest tree to decorate on Christmas Eve.
A loving family man, Pete - Lawrence James Cook Sr. - "had the gift of creating wide-eyed smiles from his children and grandchildren with Christmas surprises," his family said.
And he never forgot a birthday, with a $50 bill inserted in each card.
Lawrence Cook - called "Pete" by everybody but his wife, Margie, who called him Larry - a longtime employee of the ITE Circuit Breaker Co. and a man whose devotion to his family was the stuff of legend, died Jan. 4. He was 80 and lived in West Philadelphia.
Pete had eight children, four of them girls.
"With four girls, Pete was more than comfortable braiding hair, packing lunches, and making meals for his family," his family said. "He was a stern, strong-willed, and determined man whose unwavering value of family mandated that his children be responsible for taking care of one another.
"Understanding what Pete instilled in the Cooks made it crystal clear that if you went up against one of them, be ready for all of them."
Lawrence Cook was born in Philadelphia to Irdell Cook Vaughn. He was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church. He and Margie were married on July 2, 1956.
His family wrote in a tribute: "You've more than taught us to fly, but rather to soar like eagles gripping the love of family amidst the wind. We are the posterity of Cook, of family roots and wings of a father's love."
Besides his wife, he is survived by daughters Dorthea V. Cook Kelly, Deborah A. Footman, and Valerie A. Cook-Henry; sons Lawrence J. Cok Jr., Antonio Q. Cook, Darryl F. Cook, and Eric R. Cook; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by another daughter, Pauletta I. Cook.
Services: Were yesterday. Burial was in Fernwood Cemetery.
215-854-5573