Joannes Petrus Maria Cook

March 26, 1932, ~ November 19, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joannes Petrus Maria Cook ,

beloved husband, father, opa, brother, and dear friend, who left us peacefully on

November 19, 2025 , at the age of 93.

Born in De Beemster, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, Joannes—known to many as

John—was the son of Cornelia Maria Kok and Jacobus Maria Kok, and the oldest of

ten children.

On April 8, 1961, John married his true love, Johanna Clara Maria van Baarsen, in

Purmerend, Netherlands. From the very first moment he saw her, he confidently

declared, "I will marry her," a promise he joyfully fulfilled and honoured throughout

their sixty-four years of marriage.

Being the oldest of ten shaped John's strong work ethic and his remarkable ability to

work with his hands. In the Netherlands, he began his studies achieving his Diploma

in Architecture. While living in Amsterdam his foundational steps started working as

a draftsman for an architectural firm. He then further directed his career as a building

inspector for the Nationale Nederlander.

In 1969, he and his young family immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He

chose Winnipeg believing in pursuits that settling in the middle of the country offered

the greatest opportunity—and he was inspired by the vast, open prairie landscape.

While supporting his family in a new country, John worked full-time during the day

and continued to expand his skills through night school, earning his Journeyman

Carpenter certification from Red River Community College. Throughout his career,

he worked for respected companies such as Poole Construction and Redekop

Construction, contributing to major projects including working on the Winnipeg

Convention Centre.

John and Johanna purchased their first Canadian home along the heritage Seine River

in St. Vital, Winnipeg. John renovated the entire home—from the foundation all the

way up to the skylights—with his own hands. It became the heart of family life for the

next twenty years.

In 1990, the family moved to Vancouver Island, where John lived out the remainder of

his life with his wife Johanna by his side. He designed their second family home in

French Creek with the same care, skill, and artistry that defined all his work.

John was known for his extraordinary attention to detail. He had a sharp eye for

structure, design, craftsmanship, and—his favourite—concrete forming. He believed

that anything worth building should be built strong, exact, and able to stand the test of

time. His work reflected his values: precision, integrity, and meticulous craftsmanship.

He was a master carpenter -not only by trade, but in the way he approached life,

always understanding the thoughtful, step-by-step process required to complete a

project from start to finish.

John found joy in life's simple pleasures: a good history book, an adventure to

somewhere new, and the wide-open beauty of nature. He loved reading maps and

planning routes, camping under the stars, paddling a canoe across calm waters, riding

his bike, skating in the fresh air, sitting around a warm campfire, and relaxing with a

well-earned beer at the end of the day.

John's memory will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Enduring the loss of his beloved Johanna was a grief too great to bear, and his longing

to be reunited with her never faded.

John is survived by his children Jack Cook, Anita Cook, Margo Cook, and Simone

Cook and son-in-law Dean Trethewey , and his cherished grandchildren Jocelyn

Cook, Sabrina Trethewey, Juliana Cook, and HaydenTrethewey —all of whom he

loved deeply and carried close to his heart.

Funeral Mass

Church of Ascension Roman Catholic

887 Wembley Road, Parksville, BC

Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 am

Celebration of Life

106 240 Stanford East, Parksville BC

Baker Properties

12:30 ~ 3:00 pm