Blaine Cooke

It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Blaine Cooke, age 72, on Wednesday March 19, 2025 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Balls Creek on December 28th 1952, Blaine was the son of the late Gilbert and Clara (Burns) Cooke. Blaine was a kind, well known and respected person in all aspects of his life.

He attended school in Balls Creek, graduated from Riverview High School, later attended Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro. He was awarded a scholarship from the University of Maine, where he received a Bachelor of Education. Blaine taught various subjects in his 33 years of teaching, focusing on physical education at Timberlea Jr. High and RidgeCliff Middle School in Beechville, NS, a suburb of Halifax. Blaine enjoyed his time there teaching many students, while refereeing and coaching various sports teams. He was ready to retire in 2009, blowing his whistle for the last time.

A devoted Montreal Canadiens and New York Yankees fan, Blaine was also a multi-sport historian always ready to share an accurate date, name, title or stat to add to the conversation!

Blaine was recognized with many awards including Highest Standing in Physical Education and an Outstanding Service award from the Nova Scotia Athletic Federation. He had many Provincial level wins in badminton, hockey (goaltender) and baseball, collecting All-Star and MVP awards along the way. He earned the reputation of a fantastic ball player around Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia. Blaine has many plaques, medals and pictures proudly displayed in his childhood room/study of which he was humbly proud of.

Blaine is survived by his wife Monica (Ryan) Cooke, daughter Elizabeth (Marc) LeRouzic, granddaughter Sephine “the bean”, loving nickname given to her by “Poppy Cooke”. His siblings Lindsey (Michelle) Cooke, Elizabeth (Rick) Dawson, Peter (Casey) Cooke, Aunt Alberta (Burns) Devoe, also a number of nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Blaine was predeceased by his brother Glenn Cooke.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of his life will be held Sunday March 30th, 2-4 pm. In the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney, NS.  A private family burial will take place at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney N.S.  Online condolences may be shared with the family on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com

~ Thank you to the many people who helped and supported on the day of Blaine’s passing.

 Monica & Elizabeth

Free

Listen “Bi”

Don’t grieve, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me,

I took his hand when I heard his call,

“Home again, home again, Jiggity Jig!”

I turn my back left it all.

If my parting has left a void,

then fill it with remembered joy.

My heart has been touched by many loved ones,

great friends, good times, I savoured thee much,

My mind is at ease, God has me now,

He set me free.

~ Gone to play the with the angels “out da ball field “

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