The Rev. Joseph T. Cook, associate pastor of St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn who previously served parishes on the South Side, South Holland and Chicago Heights, died Aug. 17, a few days after his 61st birthday, the Chicago Archdiocese announced Friday.
Cook was born on Aug. 14, 1959, in Evergreen Park. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South in Chicago, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Cook was ordained May 24, 1986, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and celebrated his first solemn Mass two days later at St. Walter Parish in Chicago, according to a news release form the archdiocese.
Cook was associate pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on 137th Street in Chicago, and Holy Ghost Parish in South Holland, according to the release. He was pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on 137th Street in Chicago and St. Kieran Parish in Chicago Heights. He was most recently associate pastor of St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn.
Cook’s classmate and friend, the Rev. James Presta, pastor at St. Emily Church had known “Father Joe” since they both entered Niles College Seminary in 1978 as freshmen, the release stated.
“Fr. Joe had a great smile and an infectious laugh, a deep, unwavering faith in the Lord and a passion for priestly ministry,” Presta said, according to the archdiocese. “He has been a wonderful friend, a great classmate and brother priest to me.”
The Rev. Darrio Boscutti, another classmate, used to travel with Cook, venturing to Alaska, Niagara Falls, the Caribbean, England, France and Italy, the archdiocese said. The pair also crossed the Atlantic by ship and traveling the Orient Express through the Chunnel from London to Paris.
“I’m most grateful for his tremendous mentoring during our Mundelein Seminary years, befriending me, taking me under his wing and helping me pass my Theology exams,” the archdioceses quoted Boscutti, the pastor of St. Edna Parish in Arlington Heights.
Msgr. Michael Boland said Cook was a great priest.
“Over the years he had many health challenges, but he always was a good and faithful priest,” Boland said, according to the release. “Fr. Joe was very compassionate to the sick that he served in his parishes. I believe because he knew what it was like to have been sick, he was very sensitive to them and always had time for them.”
A private funeral Mass will be held for immediate family, close family friends and clergy Monday at St. Linus Parish, 10300 S. Lawler Ave, Oak Lawn. Interment will be private at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park.
