David A Cooke, 78

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — David A Cooke, 78, of Pittsfield, Mass., passed away December 3, 2018, at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born on March 9, 1940, to the late Edwin C. and Luciana (Conte) Cooke. He attended schools in Pittsfield, MA and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1959. David served in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963. He attended school at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and spent the rest of his tour in Oscoda, Michigan. On his return from service, he attended Berkshire Community College.

He married his wife, Paula Sangiovanni Cooke on October 24, 1964 at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield.

David joined UPS in 1968 as a package driver and retired as a tractor trailer driver in December 2010, after 42 years. He was a member of the Teamster Union Local 404.

He had a passion for anything with a motor and wheels. David grasped every opportunity to attend auto and motorcycle races, such as the F1 Grand Prix in Montreal or Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. In later years, he spent his free time watching races of all kinds on television, frequenting local car and motorcycle shows, tinkering with his cars and motorcycles and listening to Click and Clack Talk on Sunday mornings.

He leaves behind his wife, Paula; sons David S. Cooke of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Anthony A. Cooke of Pittsfield; daughter Trisha M. Cooke and her significant other, Jack Bowen, of Arcata, California; grandsons Patrick, Andrew and Christopher of Florida and Malcolm Bowen of California; a sister, Christine McGinniss of Swarthmore, Pa., and her children, Christine Marque, Suzy Boyer and Joseph McGinniss; his in-laws, Joseph Sangiovanni of West Suffield, Conn., Marianne (Bob) Archey, Anthony (Karen) Sangiovanni and Rose (John) Sangiovanni; as well as many nieces and nephews on the Sangiovanni side.

Besides his parents, David was predeceased by his son Christopher in 1974; mother and father-in-law Anthony and Mary Sangiovanni; and sister-in-law Emily Sangiovanni.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who gave him love and great care during his battle with cancer and rehabilitation. Dr. Sean Mullally, the nurses at the Infusion Center, especially Cheryl Duma (his special angel), the staff at Mount Greylock and HospiceCare in the Berkshires. They would like to thank the Salisbury Estates Community for their support during this difficult time.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for David Alan Cooke will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Dery Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Bernier, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours will precede the service beginning at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to a local charity of their choice.