Rolland W. Cookson "Rollie"
October 16 1939 - January 15 2022
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Mike & Marilyn Berthiaume posted a condolence
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Marilyn & Mike Berthiaume
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Greg Cookson uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 22, 2022
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My Dad- aka, Roll, Rollie, Roller, Cookie and so many others, but I called him Roller mostly.
A retro shot, Krazy Kelly’s Sarnia, circa 1974. Not many have seen this one, too many pictures to post.
How do you get this ball rolling really, took me some time as the memories flood in. Thought I’d just give you a little snapshot of growing up all these years with Roller. So many stories, so many laughs, we don’t have the time. I could write a book and I might, he loved to talk about old times, and I was there.
By the time I was 8 years old, I could make a Rum & Coke as good as anyone at Caesars Palace. Roll would say “Whitey, it’s important in life to know how to make a good drink, especially for dear old dad” and would laugh out loud, Roller loved his own material. When I was young, I hung around Roller all the time and especially at Mad Man McKay’s, building TV stands and laughing with the guys. The original Mad Man McKay’s by Glidden and Park and then Krazy Kelly’s later for Roll. I was going with Roller and all his cronies all the time. The Radio Tavern with Joe Cocola and One-Eyed Jack and assorted cast members, Abars, The Norton Palmer and so on. Did you know the Norton Palmer had little buttons in the booths to call the waiters. So… Roller and his buddies decided to go for a few pops after work at The Norton P, and of course I’m with, I used to ring the hell out of that button. The waiter comes over and says, “What would you like Whitey” I was a regular. Roll would say “Give em whatever he wants, just keep it under $3 bucks” the entire table would break out laughing. Of course, he let me get whatever I wanted, Roll was always super generous and always picked up the tab, always, always, always. He used to say “Yaa that guy’s got deep pockets and short arms” for the ones that fumbled around when the tab came. So… we head out to the parking lot afterwards, Douglas McKay was one of the players that night and he says “Whitey come over to the car, I got something for your mom” so I go over, Doug reaches into his trunk and pulls out a crisper drawer for a fridge, you heard me right, a crisper drawer. So… when you’re 8, you just say thanks, what do I know… Doug laughed hysterically, then fell on his ass. I head back over to our car and Roll says” What the hell is that Whitey” “Doug gave it to me for mom” “Jesus…you can’t give that to your mother, do you know what kind of a jackpot we’re in here” and laughed out loud, can you hear him? That’s how it went, that was the 60’s, today we’d all be arrested. In the early years, Roll drank like he was going to the Electric Chair, smoked more than Mt. St Helens and ate more TBQ Ribs then all of Nebraska. If you said Roll, they say Ribs are bad for you, he’d say “Well……. they can all just go FU#$ themselves, pass the sauce” and he meant that in a fun way. That was not a bumper sticker, or something from a movie line, it was real. The amazing thing about Roller in all those early years, he stopped drinking and smoking later, thanks to his loving Barb. He would come downstairs, and I would say “How are you feeling Roller” “Fresh as a daisy son” give a little whistle, a little Soupy Shuffle and out the door he’d go. I never saw anything like it in my life and still haven’t.
One of Roll’s little-known tricks, you had to be there to believe it, and Mike Maynard can tell you. Roller loved to crawl on the TV boxes when the salesmen were talking with customers, he was nimble. He acted like he was doing something super important, then take his teeth out of his head and make faces at you, no one could hang on. Roller loved that, and he loved life and all the funny things in it. Nobody loved to laugh more than Roller, we surely get that from him, can you hear his laugh?
As the years passed, I went on my way, we chatted all the time and I tried to visit as often as I could, but life gets in the way, as it does for all of us. One of the many great things about Roller is, he always knew if something was wrong in your voice, he just knew, he could tell and I’m sure that’s true for anyone that knew him and reading this. “What’s wrong kid” he’d say, and you would begin your story. Whatever your deal was, Roll had a way of making you feel like a million bucks, make you laugh and think “What’s it all about Elfie” if you were lucky, he would sing that out loud for you, he had a great voice. In all my years and I’m 60 now, never, ever, never did I hear Roller complain about a thing. Even when the wheels were coming off in the end and I knew he was failing. I would call and say “How are you feeling Roller” “Don’t worry about me son, I’m Ok, just a little cold, I’ll shake it” he never complained right up to the end. Who do you know like that, truly? I work with people in their 30’s and can’t get outside because of a few inches of snow, he was something.
Roller taught us real world life lessons, that you never learn in school, from his own school of hard knocks, as he often said. He lived his own life, his way, and his way only. A mental mind strength and freedom that all of us can learn from. He was something in so many ways, it’s even difficult to write this. I’ll miss you everyday Roller, you will always be in my mind and heart, your son Whitey.
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Karen A Cooksom Posted Jan 22, 2022 at 4:48 PM
Beautiful Greg, Dad was truly brilliantly unique , one of a kind! May he R.I.P, till I see you again Dad! Love you and miss you always KarenA Cookson AKA “lLittle Kid”
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Janet Colvin-Sharpe posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Barb, our sincere condolences. We will keep you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Janet & Bob Sharpe
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Barbara Fauteux uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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Barbara Fauteux uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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Mary Jean Horne lit a candle
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
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Dear Barb my deepest sympathy on Rollie passing away. As you know Roll was my cousin and he is the last of my cousins. I always loved our phone calls his humor, wit but most of all his love for me. There are many things I could say about his love for my mom and aunt Anne. Barb thank you for always taking such good care of him. You were his joy. I will miss our calls.
May he now rest in peace and May the Perpetual Light Shine Upon.
Love and blessings
Mary Jean
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Jo-Anne Kettlewell posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Deepest sympathy Barb in the loss of your earthly angel, Rollie. May comfort of knowing he is now a heavenly angel flying high and watching over you and the family.
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Rhys posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
"Rollie Was a Friend and Mentor to Numerous People throughout the many years of his life." -- no truer words. Rollie was my commercial landlord for 7+ years while I was a young punk selling used computer equipment all over the world in the early days of the Internet. But he wasn't just my landlord -- man I learned so much from him. And so much of that advice was with a wink and a twinkle in his eye, if you knew him you know exactly what I mean! Ahhhh Barb you had a great one, loved Rollie and loved that I could continue to connect with him through you. My sincerest condolences to everyone, he was a hell of a character and will be missed by many.
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Robin and Anne Porter posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Uncle Roll-o was fiercely loyal to those he loved. He was an entrepreneur, constant learner and loved to read (hard cover!). He remembered birthdays and holidays. I will miss his, "Ho, Ho, Ho" from his Christmas call. We had many 'relative runs' growing up but it wasn't until I was an adult that I truly appreciated and admired the love and friendship he shared with my Dad, John (Bud), and vice versa. We shared many, many visits with Uncle Roll-o and Barbie with lots of laughs, stories, the UC Club (NYC), Euchre and playing an integral part of my wedding -- unforgetable. Thank you Uncle Roll-o for being in my life -- you leave a hand print on my heart. Until we meet again.
Love, De-neice Anne and Robin
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Ashley John posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
I lost one of the best friends that I have ever had. You my friend taught me so much there are no words that can say thank you enough. Our friendship and the hours of laughs that we shared I will treasure for the rest of my life. Love ya buddy and I'll see you ion the other side!
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The family of Rolland W. Cookson "Rollie" uploaded a photo
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
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EVELYN NOLAN posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
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Kim we are very sorry to hear of your fathers passing prayers to you and family in your time of sorrow we send our heart felt condolences to you and everyone in his life. Evelyn and Leslie
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Frances Lane lit a candle
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
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So sorry for your loss. Rollie was always a part of our family while growing up in Walkerville. Beverly was my sister-in-law and my brother Cy Lane was a true friend to Rollie. Has a kid I remember some of their antics. Now Beverly and Cy will be with him in heaven. Bless you all. Frances Lane
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Angie & Dave posted a condolence
Monday, January 17, 2022
Having known RoRo, as we referred to him more often than not, for almost 40 years, was so much fun. That’s what I will remember most about him. And that’s what I will miss most about him too. From little ‘field trips’ he took us on when we were 10 years old, to recent family card games on Christmas Day where we teased him relentlessly, he was always so much fun! He told us stories & wild tales that I will never forget and he was always the brunt of our crazy antics. And he loved that! Only a few will know what I refer to when I say, from his land yacht, trunk full of egg cartons to his frozen ice hand story and beyond, RoRo will be truly missed. He was an unforgettable, one of a kind, great man! Thanks for the great memories Uncle Ro! Love Angie & Dave
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Kim Cookson lit a candle
Monday, January 17, 2022
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Our father was the inspiration of laughter, hope that projected a positive mental attitude. Anyone in Dad's presence went away feeling better than when they arrived. As a family we had so much fun and camaraderie together that the memories will be our bedrock of his legacy. Mom and Dad were married young and had a good run at life, for that we are grateful. Barb, Dad's partner and best friend until the end were inseparable and enjoyed many of life's joys and shared many common interests. I will miss you Dad as you never stopped believing in us and our goals and dreams. I take away so many outstanding memories of a life well lived and shared with you.
I hope you found the secret you were looking for Dad. Love Kim Elizabeth Cookson
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Yvonne Perry Posted Jan 18, 2022 at 2:01 AM
Kim,,having felt the love and compassion you have given me ,I feel this is something you have gotten passed down to you from your Dad,,so he must have been such a great and caring man ,,love , hugs and blessings sent to you,,you may not be able to be there in Ont. because of COVID but HE is right here in Saint John buried inside your heart,,love you my friend
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