Morris Cook's Obituary
Morris Cook entered into eternal rest on July 12, 2024. Morris and Sarina Cook celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 26, 2024 with family around them. Morris would have reached a milestone 95th birthday on September 28, 2024.
His funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Levitt-Weinstein Beth David Memorial Chapel at 2:00 p.m., located at 3201 N.W. 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, FL. The family will sit shiva at the Anchor Bay Club recreation room at 300 Three Islands Blvd., Hallandale, on Monday, July 15, 1"00-5:00 pm..
Morris was born on September 28, 1929 in Flushing, New York, the son of Joseph Cook and Sybil Cook. Morris was always industrious, accomplished, outgoing, and a leader from an early age and throughout his long career. As a youth, he had multiple work experiences in various businesses in NYC, was the patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop, was in the Civil Air Patrol, and was the leader of his high school’s national honor society. He also made time to take saxophone lessons using professional musician grade alto and soprano instruments he inherited from his uncle. Morris continued working as an intern at Brooks Brothers while attending the City College of New York. He was on the Student Council and represented CCNY as a delegate at the National Student Association convention. Morris graduated with a CCNY BBA in Business with Beta Gamma Sigma academic honors. During college, he was also adventurous and hitch-hiked from NYC to California.
After college, Morris was in the U.S. Army serving in the Army Band where his saxophone skills were put to good use serenading audiences across post WW II Europe. After serving his country in the Army, Morris had a distinguished business career starting in Abraham & Strauss/Federated Department Stores' executive management program in NYC as a Buyer/Department Manager and then promoted and moved to Federated’s Florida division - Burdines - HQ’ed in Miami, where he was part of the Team that expanded the business across rapidly growing Florida. He then joined forces with Mickey Niedenthal as co-owner of Niedenthal-Cook Associates, an award winning, highly trusted manufacturers rep sales agency of major brands across Florida for 35 years.
When Morris retired, he continued to contribute to his community, including teaching computer skills at SeniorNet to seniors (when he was in his ’70-80’s), being Executive Assistant to a Florida State Legislator who represented Hallandale, being Vice Chairman of the Hallandale Beach Beautification Board, and serving on the Anchor Bay Club HOA Board as a Director and Officer for many years.
Morris enjoyed golf, tennis, and photography, including having a B&W dark room in his home. Morris and Sarina enjoyed learning about other cultures and countries and travelled extensively across the USA and over 30 countries around the world.
In 2017, Morris learned that he had the onset of Parkinson’s disease. He put his athleticism, determination, and positive attitude to work when he was introduced to Rock Steady Boxing at MAR-JCC. https://www.facebook.com/marjcc.rsbaffiliate/events/?_rdr , Rock Steady Boxing is a global/local program that changes the lives of people affected with Parkinson’s, one punch at a time. The highly dedicated founders, trainers, and fellow boxers of this program significantly extended Morris’ life, physical health, and mental well-being over the past 7 years. Morris was the oldest boxer in his program, was an inspiration to others, and earned the moniker ‘K.O. Moe’ for his resilience, positive, fierce fighting spirit until his last round.
Morris is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sarina Cook, of Hallandale, Florida; three children: Steven Cook (spouse Carla Engel-Cook) of Charleston, SC; Richard Cook (spouse Bonnie Ilene Cook) of Titusville, FL; and Beverly Kramer (spouse Andrew Kramer) of Sunrise, FL; five grandchildren, Jennifer Ali Cook, Henley Engel Cook, Jameson Engel Cook, Samuel Kramer, and Lauren Kramer; brother Robert Cook (spouse Judy Cook) of Alpine, NJ, and close cousins Dr. Marty Diamond of Massapequa Park, NY and George Diamond, PhD of Bethlehem, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Morris and the Rock Steady Boxing program at the MAR-JCC in North Miami. To make a donation, please click https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/p5_58w?vid=16f3qy
The family would like to thank all of the dedicated, loving Comfort Keepers aides and Vitas Hospice nurses.
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