Our Gael Rugby Nation has given up one of our finest with the death of Tom Cooke, Class of 1961, last Friday around midnight. Tom had been undergoing chemotherapy for the last several weeks, after a few weeks of hospitalization and rehab to build up his strength to withstand the chemo. He took a turn for the worse last week, began Hospice care on Thursday, I think, and died the next night. I got the news while driving to the campus on Saturday morning for the Santa Clara matches, and the Alumni game. I gave the sad news to Coaches Tim and Johnny, and we all agreed we should inform the attending fans at the beginning of the A Side match.
I wrote a few lines about Tom and after the National Anthem, announcer John Wallace graciously informed the standing, silent fans for their continued attention, while he read the notes about Tom, and asked for a moment of silence to honor his memory. It was a fitting and touching farewell to our gentle, loyal Gael Rugger and friend, Saint Mary’s Rugby’s “Fan Number One”. John wound up the tribute saying he “was sure Tom was watching the match from above, in the best seat in the house”.
Tom played Hooker on the ‘59, ‘60 and ’61 teams coached by Art Robson. He was a dedicated player, always worked hard at practice and had the best disposition of anyone on the team, which he stuck with throughout his life. Tom loved Gael Rugby, and would travel great distances to attend as many matches as he could. Since he was not that comfortable driving in recent years, he would take a bus from his home near Aptos, then a Bart train from San Francisco to Lafayette, and sometimes even another bus from there to the campus for the Saturday matches. He would often stay in a small hotel in SF to break up the return trip home. Those alums and parents who attended matches would know that he always watched the games from the end zone, in his sandals, shepherd’s staff, and faded old Gael Rugby sweatshirt (tho’ he would wear his Brother Kyran’s Boys nice new sweatshirt for special occasions, and very cold temperatures).
You’ll see above that Tom took two Easter tours with the team, with Pat Vincent, in the mid ‘70s , at age 37. He played in all the matches due to injuries to the short staffed Gaels. They were thrilling experiences that he cherished for a lifetime.
Tom travelled with the team to Wales and Ireland in 2012, one of his many excursions to seek out his ancestor’s past. He travelled on his own itinerary, which was his preference, and above is a photo of Jim Keating, Tom and me in our Br. Kyran’s sweatshirts in Galway, before a match.
Here is a photo of Tom giving some tips to Coach O’Brien, at a post match party in Ireland.
Finally, here is a photo from the Collegian, of Tom in action against Dartmouth on March 24, 1960.
Tom’s family is not scheduling any service, per Tom’s wishes, until the summer and I’ve been told it will be private. Their address is: Marly Cooke, 212 Santa Cruz Avenue, Aptos, CA, 95003, if you wish to send his wife and family a sympathy card.
Tom always called me his Captain, and I’m going to miss that honor and affectionate gesture, as I am missing him and his wonderful smile and contagious laugh.
Go in peace, Gael Forever!
— Bob Schnetz, April 13, 2015