Walter Henry Cook was a man of great character who was a character. To know him is to never forget him. He was one-of-kind and the essence of a Renaissance man. Walter was a well-known realtor at Coldwell Banker who loved his work because he truly appreciated old houses, his clients, and his fellow realtors. Before his long career in real estate, he was an insurance agent and an antiques dealer.
His humor and his wit were matched by his loving and loyal heart. He was the best friend and true love of his wife, Ann. He treasured his family, most especially his son Jay, his grandchildren (Sean of Salem, Ma., Kaitlin, Mici, and Mike of Tucson, AZ, and Max of Latvia), his step-son Michael Fisher, his god-child Danielle Desjardins and his daughter-in-law Laima.
He kept close in heart his many in-laws, including his sister-in-law Erika Witzel, her daughter Christine Pelletier and granddaughter Kaylee of Connecticut, the Cady family, especially Ed and Lori Cady and Chet Cady of Huntington, Ma. and the many Fisher relations near and far who welcomed him into the family on his marriage to Ann. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce Cady Cook, with whom he shared a long and successful marriage, his parents, Earl and Ruth ('Beenie') Cook, His Uncle Russell and Aunt Rachel, and his brother-in-law Hans Witzel.
Walter loved his many loyal friends. He also loved the city of Salem, although in his later years, his thoughts turned increasingly to his Foxborough roots, to misty mornings with his father at the harness racing track that later became part of Gillette Stadium, and to golden summers with his mother at Hideaway Village overlooking Buttermilk Bay on Cape Cod. A lover of jazz and opera, he always knew where to find both in Boston and New York. He was proud of his degree in English from Suffolk University and his years of living on Beacon Hill, as well as his time spent in the Army, mostly in Germany, where he acquired his taste for bratwurst and his fluency in conversational German, both of which he enjoyed all his life.
Walter so appreciated the commitment, skill and compassion of the many doctors, nurses and other caregivers in the North Shore and in Boston who extended the length and quality of his life so that he could enjoy this summer's fresh corn on the cob, which he had longed for over the winter.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday September 3, 2016 at 2PM at Grace Episcopal Church 385 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Grace Episcopal Church in Salem. Arrangements are being held by Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal Street (corner of North St.) Salem, MA. For additional information or online guestbook please contact www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.

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