Kevin Cook was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY on December 6th, 1956. He was the youngest of 4 children, and the only brother to 3 older sisters: Pat, Maureen, and Kathy. Being the only boy and the youngest, he soon secured his proper place as King of the Cook family. Although he was the obvious monarch of the household, he also took on the role of family jester; entertaining and making his older sisters and beloved parents George and Elaine laugh continuously. From a young age he began performing for his family. He gave concerts singing Charlie Brown, conducting music from his music stand, and impersonating Boris and Natasha.
One special memory that comes to mind, is one Christmas morning when Kevin was only 3 years old. He received a fire truck from Santa complete with firefighter gear. He was so elated by this gift, he chose to eat breakfast and lunch sitting in the fire truck, only coming out when it was time for dinner, and he needed a diaper change!
Kevin went on to attend Holy Innocents Grammar School where he played baseball. However, his true passion was hanging out on East 17th Street. He loved cracking jokes and telling stories with his best friends from childhood: Jimmy Cloonan, Richard and Marge Loeber. It was also there that he met another best friend, Andy Mancuso. He then attended and graduated from Nazareth High School.
When he was a little older, Kevin began bartending at the Club 17 on Church Avenue. Brooklyn, shortly, thereafter, had their very own version of Tom Cruise circa Cocktail. One evening after a long shift, Kevin decided to provide not only bartender service but also memorable entertainment, throwing aside the bottles on the bar and hopping up to dance for the eager crowds. His top hat and cane routine to “Long Tall Glasses” became a notorious regular act behind the bar that patrons looked forward to.
From his humble roots performing in the apartment on Westminster Road, he went on to become an in-demand force on the dance floor of the Brooklyn wedding circuit. No party was complete without his rendition of his Mother’s favorite, “Mack the Knife” or his rendition of “Paradise by the Dash Board Light”!
Once it became time to settle down, Kevin married the beautiful Fran and they had their perfect sons: Matthew and James. With his sons he shared his infinite knowledge of music and films both new and old. Twenty-five years ago, the family moved to Florida, and although he left the streets of Brooklyn behind, Brooklyn never left him. For many years he mentored his sons and their friends, cooking them delicious meals, and gathering around the table telling stories and cracking jokes just as he always had.
We know he is now in Heaven entertaining George and Elaine once again!
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