With great regret and untold sadness, the Boilermakers NE Area Apprenticeship Committee mourns the tragic passing of Dave Cook. Brother Cook (Local Lodge No. 5, Zone 197) unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, May 12.
Dave joined the Boilermakers in 2002, graduating from the Apprenticeship program in 2007. As the runner-up in the 2008 NEAAC Apprentice of the Year Contest, Dave went on to represent his home Local in the National Apprenticeship Contest.
Most recently, Dave was a night foreman for Electric Boat at West Milton. He was recently re-elected to his second term as a trustee for Local Lodge No. 5, Zone 197. Dave routinely volunteered his time at Zone 197′s training center – working especially hard to assist the Apprentice of the Year contestants with their training. The Apprenticeship Program was very important to Dave and his efforts will never be forgotten. Beyond his work as a Boilermaker, Dave will also be remembered for his love of working on cars.
The Cook family has proud union roots – as Dave’s dad, Bill, is the President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC); and his younger brother, Brian, is currently a third year Apprentice with Zone 197.
Dave was a conscientious, active and dedicated individual who will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 16 from 4-8 PM at the Richard J. Ryan Funeral Home, 2034 West Street, Galway, NY 12074, 518-882-1271. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 17 at 10 AM at the Galway United Methodist Church, 4 Corners of Galway, NY 12074, 518-882-6520.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either: Galway Boy Scout Troop 5, c/o Margaret Griffin, Committee Chair, 2496 Bills Road, Middle Grove, NY 12850, or Michael Burns NY Capital Labor Parade, c/o Walter Wheeler, 11 California Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Dave’s obituary can be found here; please visit the Guest Book to leave expressions of sympathy for Dave’s loved ones.