Peter Royce Cook, 65, Died; Avid Reader, Beloved “Papa”
Peter Royce Cook, of Westport, CT and Boothbay Harbor, ME, passed away suddenly at his home in Boothbay Harbor on March 2, 2022. He was 65 years old.
Peter was born in Portland, Maine on April 6, 1956 to Judith Miller Cook and Phil Cook. He attended Boothbay Region High School where he was a star athlete and excelled in both football and basketball. He then went on to attend the University of Maine at Orono where he played football for the Black Bears. After graduation Peter embarked on an accomplished career as a group insurance executive. He worked for Unum, The Hartford, Aetna and Guardian Life.
After retiring from his illustrious insurance career, he fulfilled lifelong dreams by pursuing positions within the Boothbay community. He worked at Hodgdon Yacht Services, combining his love for the water, boats, his community and its people. His friends called him an “aquatic transportation engineer.” In addition, he proudly served on the board of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and had been responsible for building their capital campaign for the new library addition. His love of the library began when his mother took him to get his first library card. It continued as his children chose their summer reading at the library. An avid reader all his life, he instilled that love in his children.
Peter loved nothing better than spending time with his family at their compound on Appalachee Pond. Among his greatest joys were golfing, watching his children’s athletic accomplishments, spending time on the water on his boat, Heavenly Days, and playing with his grandchildren and grandnieces. He savored and boasted about his wife’s gourmet meals and decadent desserts. He was beloved by all.
If he wasn’t on the course at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Peter was most likely enjoying a cocktail on the dock or entertaining family and friends with a cookout at Appalachee. He enjoyed spinning at JoyRide Studio, practicing yoga, reading any historical book about Winston Churchill, and of course, smoking an occasional Churchill cigar!
Some of Peter’s finer talents were a true showcase of his zest for life and his ability to make those around him feel included, loved, seen and welcomed. He would frequently burst into a Frank Sinatra song, befitting of the moment, or quote his favorite movie, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Peter had a very determined outlook, some might say he was competitive, but it proved to be one of his best character traits as he doggedly overcame obstacles and constructed a very fulfilling life. He also had a beautiful ability to daydream about how he would spend his latter years with his family, what projects and house renovations he would undertake and where he would travel with his wife, children, and their children. He was the proudest and most affectionate grandfather, and favorite ‘Papa’, with his boisterous laugh and fun loving nature, turning any simple moment into a memorable one.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife Jacqueline, devoted children and grandchildren - daughter Julie Hoadley, her husband Ryan and son Quinn; son Matthew Cook and his wife Carlie; son Jason Cook and his wife Kayla and son Forrest. Peter is also survived by his siblings - Cathlene Parkhurst, Michael Cook, Mary Jane Tracy and their families.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 2 PM at Green’s Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, Connecticut.
Donations in Peter’s name can be made to Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library at bbhlibrary.org/donate/
David Hansell, 79, Died; Air Force Veteran, “what Dave loved most was making people laugh.”
David Hansell, Age 79, passed away peacefully from natural causes in his home in Westport, Connecticut on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Born on April 9, 1942 and raised in center city Philadelphia, Dave enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from West Catholic High School. From Wyoming to the Philippines, he completed his service honorably and upon discharge entered the Philadelphia Police Department. During this time, he joined the Masonic Temple in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
While working as a homicide detective, he met his future wife, Susanne, through mutual friends. They married on August 2nd, 1969. Dave transitioned into corporate security and worked for companies like American Express, Sun Oil, J&L Steel, and LTV Steel where he worked until his retirement. Throughout his career, Dave and Susanne moved from Philadelphia to New York and back to greater Philadelphia settling in their much-loved community of Pine Ridge in Media, where he also became involved in the Danish American Club.
The steel industry brought them to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio where they lived for many years in Avon Lake and North Olmsted. In retirement, they moved to the Chicago area to be closer to grandchildren, and it was at this time Dave became active in the American Legion in Mundelein, Illinois.
Dave had many passions throughout his life. He loved a good party and even moonlighted as an emcee at a local catering venue for a time. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed biographies, history, and crime stories. He liked going to the movies and playing video games. He was an avid roller skater and competed in pairs dancing events with his partner Linda for many years.
But what Dave loved most was making people laugh. No matter where he went, he was quick to crack a joke or tell a funny story; his humor did not require punchlines.
Dave is survived by his wife Susanne of 52 years, daughter Jennifer (Christopher) Conn, son David (Nora) Hansell, and grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Sophie and Sally. He is also survived by his brother Ray (Mary Sue) Hansell and sister-in-law Connie Hansell as well as many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Dave was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. A special thank you to VA Hospital of West Haven, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, and his nurse Karen for their care and support. There will be a small service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to West Catholic Preparatory School, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 or the American Legion Post 867, PO Box 603, Mundelein, IL.
Ronald Robert Schlack, 77, Died; Westport Downshifters Member, US Air Force Veteran
Ronald Robert Schlack, 77 a resident of Norwalk, C.T. and formerly of Westport, CT died February 23, 2022.
Born on September 22, 1944 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Harold and Lillian Schlack.
He lived in Westport for both his and his sons' childhoods before moving to Norwalk, C.T., where he and his beloved wife Joanna resided.
After attending Staples High School in Westport, C.T. he joined the U.S. Air Force. He then worked as an Electrician for nearly 40 years and served as a teacher for incoming apprentices for many years.
His hobbies included skiing and snowmobiling in his younger years, woodworking, glass working and antique automobile restoration during retirement. He was a member of the Norwalk Woodcraft Club and Downshifters of Westport.
He and his wife Joanna enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing golf, traveling in Europe as well as spending time in the Florida Keys
He was predeceased by his son Kevin Schlack as well as his brother Allen Schlack. He is survived by his wife Joanna of Norwalk, C.T., his son David, his wife Beth and his grandson Jake of Wilton, C.T. His stepson Damian Elias, his wife Megan and his granddaughter Mairead of Norwalk, C.T.
Memorial Service to be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice
Elizabeth Izzo Petretta, 85, Died; “she had a gift of growing a beautiful flower from a tiny weed”
Elizabeth Izzo Petretta, a lifelong resident of Westport, CT passed away peacefully at home on February 28, 2022 at the age of 85.
She was born on December 20, 1936 in Caserta, Italy to Luigi and Maria Izzo. In the 1950's, she moved with her family to Westport, CT where she later married her beloved husband, Rocco Petretta.
With Elizabeth's support, Rocco's Restaurant was established in 1975 in Westport where she worked for many years. She also enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, sewing, and crocheting. She especially loved spending time in her garden as she had a gift of growing a beautiful flower from a tiny weed. She loved to take care of others and always with a smile. Her faith was extremely important as she was a lifelong parishioner and volunteer at Assumption Church. She was her happiest when she was with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Rocco and her daughters, Emily (Vinny) Engongoro and Michelle Hankey and her grandchildren, Christopher Engongoro, Chloe and Olivia Hankey, her six siblings: Angelina (Joseph) Carusone, Verona, Italy; Josephine Bertoldo, Meriden, CT; Antonia Prentice, Monroe, CT; Anthony (Margie) Izzo, Tar Heel, NC; Jospeh Izzo, Westport, CT; Ann Izzo, Westport, CT and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com