MACLELLANS BROOK – William Ernest “Bill” Cooke, 80, MacLellan’s Brook, passed away peacefully, Sunday, May 30, 2021, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late William Henry and Nellie Christine (Brown) Cooke. Bill, or Junior as known by many, was a heavy-duty mechanic and, a truck and transport mechanic. He was employed with the former West Pictou District School Board for many years, previously having been employed with the former Tidewater Construction, Sackville and Hawker Siddeley, Trenton. Bill was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a “jack of all trades”, a skilled carpenter who was the proud builder of his home in MacLellan’s Brook and cottage on Big Island. Bill most enjoyed spending time at his favourite place, “his camp” on Big Island. He has been described as “a gentle soul - a kind heart”. Bill will always be treasured by those he loved. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Erma Helene (Cullen); children, Jeanette Cooke (Carter Verge), Halifax; Kelvin (Maureen) Cooke, Hammonds Plains; Jason Cooke, Linacy; grandchildren, Ashley Cooke (Aaron Farrell), San Jose, Calif.; Jennifer MacInnis (David Webber), Central West River; Mason Cooke, Hammonds Plains; great-grandchildren, Theresa Pace, Lily Cooke and Hudson Webber; sisters, Shirley (Jack) Wieler, Carlton Place, Ont.; Sharon (Tom) Dudka, Linacy; Sheila (Edgil) Hayter, Linacy; brother, Wayne (Bernadette) Cooke, Trenton; numerous nieces and nephews. A private graveside service will be held in Thorburn Cemetery. The Cooke family wish to thank St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Dialysis Unit, Pictou County VON and Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Team. If desired, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to The Kidney Foundation of Canada or Thorburn Cemetery. (Please click on the underlined charity to donate online.) To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William Ernest Cooke, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.