Hook, Richard E.

Sep 01, 2016

1932 - 2016. Richard (Dick) Hook died peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kingston on Friday, August 19, 2016 at the age of 83 following a long battle with renal failure and cancer. Beloved husband of Olive (Blazey) for 63 years. Loving father of Richard L. of Kingston, Kenneth (Catherine) and Tracy (Sandi) of Cloyne and Jason (Tiffany) of Kingston. Fondly remembered grandfather of Danny, Kevin, Katie, Sarah, Stacie, Ellen, Erin, Ashley, Faith and Jadon. Great grandfather to 14 children (soon to be 15).

Born in Canandaigua New York, to Warren and Luella Hook, Richard worked for his father Warren of W. E. Hook & Son throughout his youth learning trades in the general contracting business. Richard and Olive were married in 1953 and vacationed in Canada throughout their early marriage. Their family of 6 immigrated to Canada in 1970 and settled in Cloyne, Ontario becoming Canadian citizens in 1976. Richard and Olive operated Hook’s Homes starting in 1970 as a general contracting business serving area residents. In the mid-70s they opened an appliance business in Cloyne.

In 1979 Richard and Olive purchased the original Thompson Variety Store from Ron and Shirley Sedore which was replaced with the first supermarket in Northbrook (Freshmart) in 1985. Upon selling the Freshmart the Hooks started the Lazy Days Gift Shop north of Cloyne which was known by the large Muskoka chair ‘the largest in the East’ built in 1989. Thousands of visitors have been photographed in the big chair now located at the Cloyne General Store.

Richard was a true community volunteer, freely offering his time throughout the 1970s and 80s with the Cloyne Recreation Club, NEO (Northern Emergency Organization – a forerunner to ambulance services), the Beaver Snowmobile Club (forerunner to the Mazinaw Powerline Club) and the Land O’ Lakes Lions Club holding the office of Lion Secretary for several years. Richard was a member of the Arden Masonic Lodge. He also served as Councillor for Barrie Township and later as Deputy Reeve for North Frontenac Township. Richard also served as County Councillor for the County of Frontenac from 1994-97.

As a devoted husband, father and grandfather he will be sadly missed. He always had time to listen and enjoyed telling stories of his past experiences and adventures. His favourite activities included fishing, hunting and building projects. Richard and Olive were instrumental in building Flintshire Farms in Flinton and Hook’s Building Centre in Cloyne. The Hooks spent their last several years living at 310 Bath Road in Kingston where they made many new friends. Richard enjoyed feeding the dogs as they entered the lobby of Homestead Apartments.

There will be no funeral or services for Richard as per his request.