Andrew Thomas Cooks

Andrew “Andy” Thomas Cooks of Lantana, Florida passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020, at the age of 92.  After several months of declining health, Andrew died peacefully surrounded by his beloved children, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Andrew was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 8, 1927, to father Andrew Cooks and mother Goldie Stager.  The second oldest of six children, Andrew graduated from Saint Anthony High School Seminary (Oblates of Mary Immaculate) in San Antonio, Texas and from University of Detroit, Michigan in 1954.  He served 4 years active duty with U.S. Navy (1945-47) and (1950 & 51) as a Fire Controlman S Third Class.

Andrew was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Raymond Cooks, his sister Deanna Howell and by his loving wife Rivete Alves Cooks.  He is survived by his children Suzanne Fortin (Eric), Jeanine Weis, Maria Teresa Cooks and Regina Rivete Hohenwarter (Adam); brother Donald Cooks (Rose), sisters Madeline Russell (Loren) and Reva Bubeck (Edward), three grandchildren (Gabriela, Jackie and Jonathan), 5 great-grandchildren and countless extended family members.

In 1954 Andrew began his long and successful career as a General Manager / President for Sperry Rand divisions Vickers and New Holland.  At Vickers Inc. he started as a Sales Engineer, Office Manager, Export Manager and then given the challenge to manage the company’s first venture in Latin America.  Vickers Hydraulica Ltda was the company’s first wholly owned subsidiary in Latin America where Andy was their General Manager. He successfully gained and implemented duty concessions on hydraulic equipment which were instrumental in facilitating supply of Vickers Brazilian made products to new profit centers in Argentina, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela.  He achieved successful start-up operations in all 5 countries without resorting to parent company infusions of capital.  Later he was promoted to be the President of their agricultural division, New Holland Maquinas Agricolas Ltda.  He started the Brazilian subsidiary on August 1, 1973 making it the best division of the company.  He devoted his career in turning the company very profitable for many years.  He inspired his workers to work hard and at the end all benefited from the great profits generated.

To many, he radiated a leadership based on transparency, honesty, kindness and respect for people and the hierarchy of those he managed.  He leaves a great legacy for those that got a chance to know him.  Longing and gratitude will forever mark the memory of “Mr. Cooks” of which he was fondly called.

“Mr. Cooks is one of those people who marks your life, either by example, or by the frankness and dignity that he tried to teach to other younger people. An admired and respected leader. He enjoyed the challenge of motivating others.”

He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of living a life with those your love.  He had a strong faith and great belief in God.  At his younger years he served as an Altar boy.

During his time in Brazil, that is where he met the love of his life, his wife Rivete. They knew and were married to each other for over 60 years. 

Andrew was very athletic and he enjoyed water sports like swimming, sailing, and fishing.  He played Basketball, Baseball and Football in High School. One of his favorite hobbies was beekeeping – he fell in love with this while attending the seminary and later in years he was at it again having bee hives at home and also at the New Holland plant.  He was fascinated with the intricate work and engineering the bees had.  One could say, it would be like seeing how a team would work together to achieve success – something Andy was very good at.  He knew how to motivate people and that brought him great joy!

Most of all Andy loved his family and instilled in his daughters strong values that have served them well.  He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lantana, Florida at 11:30 am with Reverend Eli St. Fort officiating. Burial will follow at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Florida. The family will greet friends from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Tillman Funeral Home in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to “Friends Helping Friends International” at http://www.oblatemissions.org/FriendsHelpingFriends.

Those wishing to sign the guest book may do so online at https://www.tillmanfuneralhome.com/obits.