Obituary: Roger Holmes Cook, 76, Former New Canaan Resident

The following obituary of former New Canaan resident Roger Holmes Cook, 76, is from Magner Funeral Home:

Roger Holmes Cook, formerly of New Canaan, CT and later of Dove Mountain, Marana, AZ, passed away on Wednesday, March 18; he was 76 years old. The son of the late J. Franklin Cook and Mildred Libby Cook, he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Ellen (née Howard); daughter Sherri Lynn Cook and son John Andrew Cook (Kelly). He is also survived by his sister Patricia Bloomer (John) of Sacramento, CA.

Roger attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts where he earned a BA in History, was elected to Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society and was awarded the Strain Gold Medal in Philosophy. He also attended Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and earned an MBA in Finance.

He began his business career as an associate in the Institutional Research and Corporate Finance Departments of Loeb Rhoades & Co.

From 1973 to 1991, Roger held various advisory and investment banking positions as a Vice President with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and with J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. From 1991-1995 he was Vice President Corporate Development of Louis Dreyfus Energy Corp. Roger then went on to become Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Heating Oil Partners, L.P., which he co-founded in October 1995, until his retirement in 2000. Outside of his professional career, Roger volunteered in many capacities over the years. He served as Chairman of the Advisory Board (1973-1979) and Chairman of the Finance Committee on the Board of Trustees (1980-1990) for St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ.

Upon retirement, Roger joined the Order of Malta while he and Mary Ellen lived in New Canaan, CT. While in the Order, which is part of the American Association, he served as the Hospitaller. He especially enjoyed his volunteer work as Eucharist Minister to the community nursing homes as well as minister of liturgy at Silver Hill Hospital.

When Roger and and his wife retired to Arizona, he transferred his membership to the Order of Malta Western Association. He helped the newly formed Tucson location and continued his volunteer work with their charitable works. Roger served on the Board of Directors of the Kino Border Initiative (ministry to migrants) and was instrumental in helping to organize their financial infrastructure. He also volunteered his time to Poverello House, daytime program for homeless men in Tucson. Roger made 3 pilgrimages to Lourdes.

A celebration in honor of Roger’s life to be held at later date.

To leave an online condolence for Roger’s family, please visit: www.Magnerfuneralhome.com