James Cooke, 84, of Marblehead, Former Ski Club President, 'Townie' Sailor

Obituary from Eustis & Cornell Funeral Home

James Henry Cooke of Marblehead, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014.

Born on July 5, 1930 in Lynn to Theodore C. and Florence P. Cooke, Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jane R. Cooke; their children, Theodore C. Cooke II, wife Linda Newberry Cooke and granddaughter Caitlyn Louise Cooke of Gloucester; David S. Cooke, wife Lynn Hollis Cooke and grandsons Thomas J. Cooke and Daniel B. Cooke of Harvard; Martha Cooke Somach, husband Stephen Somach, grandson David Somach and granddaughter Sara Somach of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Russell J. Cooke, wife Margaret Coakley Cooke and grandsons Gregory James Cooke and Michael Russell Cooke of Newington, N.H.; brother Phillips C. Cooke and his wife Sally S. Cooke (predeceased) of Marblehead; sister Nancy Cooke Latta and her husband Robert Latta of Pompton Plains, N.J. and many nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up in Swampscott, attending prep school at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College, then moved to University of Colorado, Boulder to get a degree in Civil Engineering. As a registered Professional Engineer, Jim served as President and Treasurer of Lynn Sand and Stone Co. in Swampscott, until the company was sold in 1983.

Jim was a member of a pioneer skiing family instrumental in building the Mount Gunstock Ski Hoist, the first ski tow built in New Hampshire and operated from 1935 to 1940. He competed in cross country ski and ski jump events in prep school and college, participating in the Dartmouth Outing Club where he did much mountain hiking and rock climbing. After starting a family, Jim became a member of the Mt. Sunapee Ski Club, and served as the club’s race chairman in the early 1970s, at which time he and Jane became regulars on the Eastern/USSA Masters (Sise Cup) Alpine Racing circuit, which they continued doing well into their 70’s.

Sailing and sailboat racing was another passion for Jim. James taught power squadron courses for Marblehead Sail and Power Squadron for many years. In the 1950s he purchased his first Town Class sailboat, then tirelessly promoted the “Townie” fleet ever since. He served on the Corinthian Yacht Club Race Committee starting in the 1960’s, and with Jane worked hard to keep Town Class boats out on the MRA starting line for many decades. His efforts helped fuel the recent resurgence in this one-design class.

Memorial Services are still being planned. In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests you make a contribution to the New England Ski Museum, P.O. Box 267 Franconia, New Hampshire 03580-0267 in Jim’s name.