In Memory of the Late Great Mark Cook
Donation protected
On February 24, 2019 Mark Cook was welcomed into heaven. He is survived by his loving family: his wife, Blynn Nelson; his children Grace and Jarrett; his sister, Ann; his brothers Peter and Matt; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mark will long be remembered as a devoted family man with a strong faith and a tireless dedication as a volunteer - the latter a calling that he answered in a manner that was truly remarkable.
Mark was the "unofficial" Athletic Director at Seton Catholic School, a position he held long after his children had graduated. No one could imagine assuming the daunting task of replacing Mark because of the programs that Mark had initiated and expanded - all for the benefit of the Seton community! Catholic grade schools were generally known for fielding CYO basketball teams; that was the extent of extracurricular athletics. Mark wanted more for the Seton community. He cajoled Sister Kay into allowing children below the third grade to participate in sporting activities by launching the "Little Angels" program. Soon ball fields around Seton and Brighton could be seen teeming with the youngest of the Seton children playing soccer and lacrosse and engaging in other athletic programs. Mark pioneered the Seton running club. An avid runner himself, Mark could be seen leading Seton children and parents on jaunts around the Seton Campus. On one occasion Mark called upon Bishop Matthew Clark to accompany his Seton running Club on a run around Cobb's Hill Park. A memorable day!
One day a couple of Brighton School District parents asked if their Jewish children could join the Seton CYO basketball league. Ignoring prohibitions about any children outside of Seton participating, Mark enrolled these boys on a team and was proud to have done it. He was a rule breaker in all the best ways one can be!
Mark was instrumental in founding and expanding an amazing basketball tournament, "The Mary Grace Ryan Seton Fast Break Tournament." The tournament became the largest in Western New York and raised thousands of dollars for the Seton Catholic Schools. Mark was the heart of this event; its biggest cheerleader and hardest working volunteer.
Mark was easily the most recognizable figure and name for years at Seton and in the Catholic (and secular) athletic programs throughout the Diocese and the region. For him, it was always about the kids, their families and making it fun. Mark loved an underdog and was more concerned that everyone had a chance to participate rather than the score.
For the parents who had the good fortune to have spent time with Mark over the years, we all came away with a feeling of warmth and caring -- and loved Mark's uproarious, cackling laughter that easily carried across Buckland Park! For those involved in youth sports, one comes to know the amount of down time there exists between game, goals, innings, rain delays and waiting for kids to be picked up from practice. It was during those times that countless of us were able to spend time with Mark and each other. Fond friendships and bonds were forged over those years and they still exist today. Mark was at the center of that wheel and touched each and every spoke --representing the fabric of a memorable and nostalgic time that all who passed this way with him will not ever forget. Mark was a coach, a referee, a scorekeeper, the person in-charge of uniforms and athletic supplies, an arbiter of disputes between CYO coaches who may have taken things a bit too seriously, the person responsible for running sports banquets and far too many other tasks to list here.
Mark was involved in so much more beyond athletics. Mark was devoted to his faith and frankly all faiths. As a volunteer with RAIHN (the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network), Mark was able to live his beliefs of tolerance, acceptance and respect.
He later immersed himself as a great volunteer and supporter of his children's activities beyond grade school -- Jarrett at McQuaid and Grace at Mercy.
Mark had a wide range of friends and family, not the least of whom were his great neighbors on Girton Place and throughout Park Avenue where he, Blynn and their children (and the wonderful Dave Nelson !!) were regular organizers, participants and fixtures in parades, parties and holiday celebrations year in and out.
Mark was universally loved by so many.
All proceeds go to the Cook family.
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." -Thomas Campbell.
Mark will long be remembered as a devoted family man with a strong faith and a tireless dedication as a volunteer - the latter a calling that he answered in a manner that was truly remarkable.
Mark was the "unofficial" Athletic Director at Seton Catholic School, a position he held long after his children had graduated. No one could imagine assuming the daunting task of replacing Mark because of the programs that Mark had initiated and expanded - all for the benefit of the Seton community! Catholic grade schools were generally known for fielding CYO basketball teams; that was the extent of extracurricular athletics. Mark wanted more for the Seton community. He cajoled Sister Kay into allowing children below the third grade to participate in sporting activities by launching the "Little Angels" program. Soon ball fields around Seton and Brighton could be seen teeming with the youngest of the Seton children playing soccer and lacrosse and engaging in other athletic programs. Mark pioneered the Seton running club. An avid runner himself, Mark could be seen leading Seton children and parents on jaunts around the Seton Campus. On one occasion Mark called upon Bishop Matthew Clark to accompany his Seton running Club on a run around Cobb's Hill Park. A memorable day!
One day a couple of Brighton School District parents asked if their Jewish children could join the Seton CYO basketball league. Ignoring prohibitions about any children outside of Seton participating, Mark enrolled these boys on a team and was proud to have done it. He was a rule breaker in all the best ways one can be!
Mark was instrumental in founding and expanding an amazing basketball tournament, "The Mary Grace Ryan Seton Fast Break Tournament." The tournament became the largest in Western New York and raised thousands of dollars for the Seton Catholic Schools. Mark was the heart of this event; its biggest cheerleader and hardest working volunteer.
Mark was easily the most recognizable figure and name for years at Seton and in the Catholic (and secular) athletic programs throughout the Diocese and the region. For him, it was always about the kids, their families and making it fun. Mark loved an underdog and was more concerned that everyone had a chance to participate rather than the score.
For the parents who had the good fortune to have spent time with Mark over the years, we all came away with a feeling of warmth and caring -- and loved Mark's uproarious, cackling laughter that easily carried across Buckland Park! For those involved in youth sports, one comes to know the amount of down time there exists between game, goals, innings, rain delays and waiting for kids to be picked up from practice. It was during those times that countless of us were able to spend time with Mark and each other. Fond friendships and bonds were forged over those years and they still exist today. Mark was at the center of that wheel and touched each and every spoke --representing the fabric of a memorable and nostalgic time that all who passed this way with him will not ever forget. Mark was a coach, a referee, a scorekeeper, the person in-charge of uniforms and athletic supplies, an arbiter of disputes between CYO coaches who may have taken things a bit too seriously, the person responsible for running sports banquets and far too many other tasks to list here.
Mark was involved in so much more beyond athletics. Mark was devoted to his faith and frankly all faiths. As a volunteer with RAIHN (the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network), Mark was able to live his beliefs of tolerance, acceptance and respect.
He later immersed himself as a great volunteer and supporter of his children's activities beyond grade school -- Jarrett at McQuaid and Grace at Mercy.
Mark had a wide range of friends and family, not the least of whom were his great neighbors on Girton Place and throughout Park Avenue where he, Blynn and their children (and the wonderful Dave Nelson !!) were regular organizers, participants and fixtures in parades, parties and holiday celebrations year in and out.
Mark was universally loved by so many.
All proceeds go to the Cook family.
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." -Thomas Campbell.
Co-organizers (2)
Edward Hourihan
Organizer
Rochester, NY
Patrick Trevor
Co-organizer