Just are we will gather to pay our loving respects to Carol, Christine, John and Joanie, Elizabeth & Katie, so did Ray, Carol and family gather us all to their home each summer. All their parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, cousins once removed etc., to be with each other for the most looked forward to day of the summer, The Cook Family Party, where we could be together with both sides of Carol and Ray's families to catch up on the news and to be so wonderfully and graciously received by our host, hostess and their children and grandchildren. My family will always remember how my mother, Mary's sisters Rose and Loretta, not blood relatives, were always invited to the family party as part of the
extended family, whoever was with you at your home that day was also invited to come along to the Cook's. When I asked my granddaughter, Jessica, if she was coming to the party, she replied that if my cousin sent a letter, they would come. And come they did, as did we all.
We enjoyed the food and drinks, but most importantly them and each other. It is so hard to know that now it is time we have to say a very sad goodbye to a most wonderful husband, father,father-in-law, brother and friend and great man, and in my case and my families to our beloved cousin Carol's husband Ray. It is with much sadness and regret that our shining star is no longer here among us but most surely is in heaven just waiting to greet us there to enjoy again his company, his love and his laughter. Didn't he have the best laugh. God bless his family and I know that God will grant them the courage, strength and patience to wait for that day when they meet again and enjoy his arms around them in their circle of love and life everlasting.
Thank you so much Ray for being a part of our lives and inviting us to be a part of yours, you will live forever in our hearts.</b></font><br><br>
