| Russell A. Cook, Jr.
KITTERY - Russell Allen Cook Jr., 35, died June 7, 2011, in Dover after a valiant 13-year battle against cancer.
He was born on March 26, 1976, in Winchester, Mass., to Kathleen Afienko and Russell Allen Cook Sr. He graduated from Oyster River High School in Durham, N.H.
He married his best friend and loving soulmate Michele (formerly Tibbetts) on March 25, 2006.
Mr. Cook was a master of self-education and excelled as the IT manager for a large electronics company prior to and during much of his illness. He was also a self-taught mechanic and participated with his family in off-roading groups, including Deep Woods Extreme. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoyed gardening, snowshoeing and hiking.
Even while fighting for his life, he devoted his time and energy to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families maintain quality of life. He led a small team to raise tens of thousands of dollars which had incalculable impact on the lives of countless local families.
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IN HIS LIFE: More recently, he became an active member of his church community and had begun the process of becoming a pastor - again excelling naturally. Perhaps most importantly, he was an amazing father to his young son and a loving companion to his wife. His strength, courage, generosity, work ethic, humor and devotion to his family and friends will always be an inspiration to those who knew him.
Russ is survived by his wife, Michele; his son, Rusty; his parents, Kathleen and Joseph Afienko and Russell Cook Sr.; his sisters, Khristina Harris, Sara Afienko, Amanda Shepard, Tricia Ann Cook and Heather Cook; his niece, Piper Harris; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
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