July 13, 1946 - April 22, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Stuart Kerr Cook passed away on April 22, 2024 in Trail Regional Hospital after a brief illness.
He is survived by his brother Ian (Susan) Cook of Lauzun, France and long time close family friends Sandy and Bruce Edson and Mike and Alexander Borch of Nelson.
He was predeceased by his parents George and Helen Cook (nee Kerr).
Stuart was born on July 13, 1946 in Edinburgh, Scotland and emigrated with his parents to Canada in 1948. The family settled in Toronto where his brother Ian was born in 1952. Stuart attended Elementary and Secondary school in Toronto and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
He moved to Vancouver in 1973, earned his teaching diploma, and moved to Nelson to take an Elementary school teaching position in 1976. In the early 1980's Stuart spent time in Japan, teaching English as a Second Language, and on his return to Canada, was an instructor at Canadian International College in Nelson.
His last position was with Pacific Gateway International College in Victoria, BC.
Stuart left us on Earth Day, a fitting farewell, as he was a true friend of Mother Earth, supporting causes that he felt would help the planet, and leaving a gentle footprint in his personal life by gardening organically, composting, walking or biking in lieu of driving, and generally living simply and minimally.
He contributed to many societies and charities that he felt would ease the burden we put on the Earth. Stuart was also a stalwart member of the Nelson Izu-Shi Friendship Society and spent many happy hours helping to develop and care for the Friendship Garden next to Cottonwood Creek.
A voracious reader, he was keen to exchange opinions and observations on a wide range of topics, historical or contemporary. An acute intellect, probing curiosity, and whimsical sense of humour made Stuart, gregarious by nature, an entertaining conversationalist.
Stuart embodied the ethos of life-long learning. He taught himself guitar, which he played and practiced all his life, and his love of language led him to study French, Spanish, and Japanese. An abiding passion was practicing his language skills on the many travels he enjoyed throughout his life.
He travelled extensively in Asia, as well as living and teaching in Japan. He travelled and studied in Mexico and, in later years, he visited his brother Ian and sister-in-law Susan in the southwest of France, visiting historical sites and biking in the countryside.
He always had the next trip in mind and had just returned from a wonderful trip to France when he fell ill.
May he travel freely now!