It is with heavy hearts that Frances and Cindy announce the passing of their beloved father, Howard Cooke, 85, of Isaac’s Harbour, which occurred in St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital in Sherbrooke on Saturday, September 27th, 2014. Howard was born in Isaac’s Harbour to the late Edison and Bertha (Langille) Cooke on March 26th, 1929. He is survived by daughters Frances (Don Francis) Cooke, Timmins Ontario and Cindy (James) Parsons, Port Hilford. He was a very loving and beloved Grampy to his only grandchild, Blaire Francis. He is also survived by step children, Holly Essex, Marty, Dale, John Langille, Jackie Murphy, Patricia Parker and several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Albert, Sherbrooke, Arnold (Sandra), Raymond (Gladys) of Country Harbour; Dave (Cherry), Calgary; sisters Florence Munroe (Hammonds Plains); Alice Peters, Manitoba; Joyce Avery, Isaac’s Harbour and Verna (Art) Steeves, New Glasgow; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. Howard is also survived by a very special second family in Ontario, his lifelong friend Ernie and the late Irene Kettle and their children, Marcia, Charles, Rosalie, Howard and their extended families. Howard was predeceased by wives Elsie and Nancy; brothers Douglas, Cecil, Allen, Jackie, Bud; sister, Ileen Hudson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, aunts and uncles. Howard started his working career as a young man as a wood cutter. He later moved to Ontario and sailed the Great Lakes for a period of time before joining Kimberly Clark (Neenah Paper) Pulp & Paper Mill in Terrace Bay in 1958 and worked there until his retirement in 1987. Howard lived a healthy, active, full life until his sudden illness. Over the years he was very active, playing cards, bingo, wood working, boat building, curling, golfing, pool, washer toss and horse shoes, playing in many tournaments and bringing home the trophies. He was also an avid moose hunter and fisherman, fishing many lakes in Ontario seeking the "Big One" and finally caught it in Lake Superior before moving back to Nova Scotia. Howard was also well known for his wonderful woodworking skills in making his hand-crafted jewelry boxes, cutlery chests and cremation urns, which he took great pride in crafting. His imagination would run wild with pattern ideas for his next project and could be found in something as simple as a necktie, wallpaper pattern or a carpet design. These priceless treasures have been sold through the years to people all over the world. Many friends and family feel lucky to have one. In recent years he enjoyed his Thursday night card parties with his friends and his special playing partners, brother-in-law Richie and sister Joyce. Howard had such an easy going, fun loving and giving personality and was loved by all who knew him. He will forever be remembered for his witty sense of humor, funny sayings, quirky looks and quick one-liners, a trait which he carried with him until the end. He truly was a unique, one of a kind individual you would never forget once you met him. Each year when vacationing home to Isaac’s Harbour he enjoyed the many gatherings and guitar jammin’ session at his old homestead. He awed many with his own unique style of strumming his guitar left-handed, upside down and backwards. He was well known for singing ‘til wee hours of the morning with his brothers Jackie and Bud and anyone who played guitar and cared to join in. Many hours were shared with his brothers, Cecil and Albert, telling their numerous hilarious stories. These are priceless memories made and cherished forever by anyone who was lucky enough to have been part of them. A celebration of Howard’s life will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 in the Goldboro Interpretive Centre at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Barry Jack officiating. Interment to follow in Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Country Harbour at 3:00 p.m. Family flowers only, please. Donations made be made to St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital in Sherbrooke in Howard’s memory. Arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of G. W. Giffin Funeral Home, Country Harbour. Online condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com.