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Robert H. Cocking

Robert H. Cocking

IRON MOUNTAIN — Robert H. Cocking, 95, of Iron Mountain, died peacefully on Oct. 20, 2019, with his twin daughters at his side holding each of his hands. He was born on March 23, 1924, in Iron Mountain.

He was larger than life, the hardest working man we have ever known, with a quick wit that came naturally to him. He was funny without ever trying to be.

Dad was born and raised in Iron Mountain to David and Edwidge (Goyer) Cocking and had three brothers and two sisters. Leslie died in infancy. Loren Cocking died in 1967. Phyllis (Aarold) Parent preceded his death in 2012.

Donald (Fran) Cocking and Myrna (John) Hassi are his surviving siblings.

He married Madelyn Vaerewyck in 1948 and they had three children. Debbie, their oldest, died tragically in 1966 due to a car accident when she was 18 years old.

Twins Jean (David) Miller and Joan (Patrick) Fitzgibbon are his survivors, along with grandchildren, Erin (James) Robertson, Patrick (Allison) Fitzgibbon, and Andrew Miller.

His oldest grandson, Ian Miller, and youngest grandson, Brian Miller, preceded him in death in 2017.

He also has three great-grandsons, Cameron Robertson, Parker Robertson, and Dylan Fitzgibbon. Many nieces and nephews also survive him.

Dad served his country in WWII in the U.S. Navy on submarine tender USS Bushnell. He was especially proud of his service years.

After his discharge from the Navy, he moved back to Iron Mountain, where he lived all of his life except for the last 3 1/2 months when we moved him closer to us in the Detroit area.

It was a gift to have him living so close as we were able to see him multiple times a week. We took him for rides in the country and would sit with him and look at old family photos. He got to know his great-grandson Dylan and loved watching him play.

Dad was a truck driver for most of his career and drove a fuel truck for G. Bertoldi & Sons until he retired.

His love of draft horses became his hobby in retirement and he loved spending time on his farm in Pine Creek tending to his team of Percheron draft horses and doing chores around his farm. One of his favorite activities was attending horse pulls. As kids, we were dragged to many fairgrounds to watch. He also loved watching NASCAR and was an avid fan, never missing a race on television.

When our mother was diagnosed with ALS in 1986, he was devoted to her, caring for her round-the-clock. It was a stressful time for him and lonely when she died just six months after her diagnosis in February 1987. They had both just retired and had plans to enjoy traveling and doing the things they liked to do together. Dad was so lonely that we encouraged him to try dating. After some coaxing, he began dating a family friend whose husband had died. After some time together, he and Thalia Massage married in June 1991. They were married for 20 years when Thalia passed due to illness.

Through all the tragedy in his life, losing a daughter and both of his wives, he always remained positive, never ever feeling sorry for himself. As he always told us, no one wants to hear about your problems. When someone would ask him how he was he always said “very good!” Even on his death bed this past week, when he was battling pneumonia and struggling to breathe if a medical worker asked him how he was doing he’d say, “I’m good.” Then he’d compliment them and shake their hand. Anyone working in a hospital was greeted with “Good morning, doctor.” Always charming in his own way, Robert was described by many healthcare workers as delightful.

After several days in the hospital this week, we told him he was not going to get better. He thought about that for a second and said, “You mean to tell me they’re going to let me croak?”

Yes, Dad, but the good news is you get to go back to Iron Mountain. That satisfied him.

We will miss his strength, his stories and mostly his fine sense of humor. Rest In Peace Papa.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 25 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.

Funeral services will follow at noon at the funeral home. Fr. Janusz Romanek will officiate.

Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https://www.brianmillerfullmoon.com.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Robert Cocking online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.