Living a life full of purpose and an intense love of God and family, Edward G. Cook, 97, a child of God, a son, husband, father, grandpa, great grandfather, was called to his eternal home on Tuesday, July 28 2026, surrounded by love of family. Born Sept. 17, 1928, the only son of Edward G Cook, Sr and Emma Susan Frakes Cook, in Detroit, Michigan. Attending local schools in his hometown, “Buddy” also worked in the family drug store at the soda & ice cream fountain, serving many employees & engineers from the local Ford & Cadillac factories, planting the seeds of entrepreneurship and the love of cars!

When the time came for college, “Bud” was accepted to attend Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY, to study electrical engineering. RPI is the oldest technical university in the United States. It was at the beginning of his 3rd year of intense Science & Math courses, and as a member of Delta Phi fraternity, that Bud attended a frat sponsored “Tea” for the young, freshmen coeds from Russell Sage College. It was there that Arlene Mary Hannan of Stratford, CT entered his life. As a result of this encounter, their life- long love story began. At the time of Bud’s graduation from RPI 2 years later, Bud had not only completed his academic studies, but he also began his life -long love & interest in the Roman Catholic faith, converting to Catholicism and marrying Arlene, all within the first month after graduation. The Cook Family began!

As a newly married couple, Arlene followed Bud’s career in the field of Ultrasonic engineering from Detroit, MI to Brookfield, CT, to Patterson, NJ & finally Trenton, NJ, while living in Yardley, PA. During this chapter, Bud added a master’s degree while commuting to Columbia University. With each new job, came a new house, and a new baby. Arlene & Bud strengthened their commitment to their faith & growing family giving Bud the new title of Daddy to Susan, Joan, Jane, Jim, & Peg. As Arlene was expecting their 5th child, “Ed” became an entrepreneur, owning and operating Crest Ultrasonics, an ultrasonic cleaning manufacturing company located in Trenton, NJ. It was during these years that Ed earned many patents for his ultrasonic discoveries. Several years later, Ultrasonic Power Corp was established, expanding Ed’s knowledge & expertise in the world of ultrasonics.

Keeping with their tradition of “new house, new ”, God continued to bless Ed & Arlene as they became Grandma & Grandpa to 15 grandchildren. Grandma’s Lake House on Lake Candlewood, in New Milford, CT became the beloved go-to space for many family gatherings. Grandpa loved teaching the kids how to drive the boat, water ski in summer, ice skate in winter, and make popcorn while shooting off 4th of July fireworks. With his passion for education, many of the grandkids were subjected to “Grandpa’s Grilling” as he questioned and challenged the kids to impress him with what they were learning in school.

Time came to sell the business and embark on life fully retired. Arlene recognized the need for Ed to have a new project or something to FIX! Becoming Florida “snowbirds” in Vero Beach was the answer, spending 6 months playing tennis, golf, contract bridge and continuing to attend daily Mass. Designing their new home was a blessing as he kept his mind occupied designing and drawing their condo on the beach, then the Grandma’s River home on the Indian

River Lagoon because the ocean waves kept Arlene awake at night! His final design was a courtyard home 1 block from the beach. It was during these years that Ed became PopPop to 28 great grandkids, all of which brought great love & joy with every visit and walk on the beach.

With Ed’s passion and dedication to his faith, family and education, he became involved with the local Christian elementary and high schools, volunteering to teach Math, and donated numerous laptops. Ed also fundraised to help purchase a rectory for the new pastor of a new Mission church for a parish in Indian River County. Ed’s most significant accomplishment was the raising of funds and awareness of the need for a crisis pregnancy center in Vero Beach. With his efforts, a women’s care center was opened, fully equipped with full staff and an ultrasound machine, claiming God told him his new job involved saving babies and their families. Mission accomplished. With great clarity and peace, this has been Ed’s most cherished accomplishment.

Ed’s last years have been spent living in various Independent and Assisted Living homes in the Lake Mary area in order to be close to family during final years. During this chapter, while Arlene was still alive, they continued to attend daily Mass, attending great grandkids school activities, teaching kids to play chess and just showing up & being present. Arlene & Ed celebrated their 70th wedding Anniversary before Arlene’s passing in April 2021. Ed’s remaining years were quite lonely, as he missed his life-long wife. Once again, God answered Ed’s prayers giving him a caregiver, Rhonda, who became his “adopted” daughter and ultimately, his best friend. Ed’s last days on Earth were spent with Heather & Justin and staff at Summerland Senior Living surrounded with love, peace, dignity and respect.

Well done, my good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:23

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of 70+ years, Arlene, and a grandson, Steven Wolf.

Ed’s legacy lives on with his children Susan Podlesny (Richard) McCormick, SC,

Joan Schwartz (Walt) Lake Mary, FL, Jane McGinniss (Kevin) Yardley, PA, Jim Cook (Rose) Lancaster, PA, Peg Wolf, New Milford, CT, “adopted daughter”, caregiver & best friend, Rhonda Jones, Apopka, FL,

14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and several of Arlene’s nieces & nephews.

Visitation/viewing hour will be 10 - 11 am Wed. Aug 5

Celebration of Life Mass will follow immediately at 11am

at Nativity Catholic Church

3255 N Ronald Reagan Blvd

Longwood, FL 32750

Mass will be livestreamed for those unable to attend at Nativity.org/livestream

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to

A Caring Center for Women                                or                            Summerland Senior Living

1986 31st Ave Suite 100                                                                        955 Tuskawilla Rd

Vero Beach, FL 32960                                                                         Winter Springs, FL 32708