Dale F. Rook, 79, died after a brief illness at his home in Cornish, NH, on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, surrounded by his wife and four children.
Dale was born on March 18, 1939, in Windsor, VT, oldest son of Fred and Alyce (Wheelock) Rook. Dale grew up in Windsor, VT, where he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Howard, in 1960. Settling in Cornish, NH, they raised four children and were very active in their community. To name only a few, Dale was a founding member of the Cornish Rescue Squad, serving over 25 years; volunteered for 40 years on the Cornish Volunteer Fire Department, holding the position of President for nine years and Assistant Fire Chief for 14 years; was Cornish Fair Director for many years; held positions on the Zoning Board, Fire Warden & Deputy Warden and as town Ballet Clerk; volunteered at the Cornish Recycling Center for 14 years, provided many hours for the Cornish Neighbor to Neighbor group; and was a Charter Member of Cornish Historical Society where he self-published his “Photo Tour Around Cornish at the Start of the 21st Century” in 2004, with proceeds to the sale of the book going to the Historical Society. Dale was a communicant of Plainfield Community Church.
Dale and Judy were nominated in 2010 for the Joseph D. Vaughn Award for volunteerism in Sullivan County and acknowledgement of this award presented in Concord by Gov. John Lynch. Dale also opened his sharpening services in 1980. Rook’s Sharp-All Shop was well known and gave him the opportunity to meet many people in and around his community. Sharpening services were offered free of charge to town organizations. Dale’s passion to serve others was selfless and began early in life as an Eagle Scout and an enlistment in the U.S. Army between 1957-1960 where he had the opportunity to tour Europe, spending all his spare time touring the countryside with buddies and his trusty 35mm camera. He played the trumpet and French horn in the 279th Army Band.
Dale retired from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 2001 as a Security Officer, known as a loyal and well respected colleague. He loved being outside and up to his last few months, he and Judy would take their 2 mile daily walk. He was known for being highly organized in everything he did and always had “just the thing” for anything anybody was looking for. He and Judy camped for many years, from tent to pop-up to 5th wheel camper and belonged to the Good Sam Club as a Life Charter Member since 1998. Dale’s crowning attribute was being a strong, supportive, loving father and husband.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brother and two sisters.
Dale is survived by his loving wife, Judy (Howard); Daughter Heidi and husband, Dave McGuigan, their sons Corey, Matt and wife Mary; Son Todd and wife Sheila (Nelson), their son Nate and wife Nicole, and son Joshua Carpenter; Daughter Sheri and husband Jeff LeBlanc, their daughters Lynn and Elise; Son Jason and fiancé Amber Corriveau, her three children, and Jason’s son Jacob.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Cornish Rescue Squad, and/or Cornish Fire Department, 488 Town House Rd, Cornish, NH 03745. Calling hours will be held at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, NH on Friday, February 1st, from 4 to 7 PM. Funeral services will be at 1 PM Saturday, February 2nd at Stringer Funeral Home followed immediately by a brief fire fighter ceremony at Cornish Engine One Fire Station and Celebration of Life at the Cornish Town Hall on Town House Rd. Along with family and friends, the family welcome’s fire fighters to join us for this special presentation. A graveside service will be held at a later date.
★ 2016 Copyright E-Ticker News of Claremont ★ Website by Bee Balm Productions ★