David R. Cooke, who served as MPP for Kitchener from 1985 to 1990, has died. The Ontario Liberal Party announced the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday morning. Cooke grew up in Kingston and went to Queen’s University, before being called to the Ontario Bar in 1967. He then moved to Kitchener where he worked as a criminal defense lawyer. His first foray into the political sphere was in the 1979 federal election as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. Cooke ultimately lost that race to John Reimer by just over 6,000 votes. Reimer was then replaced by Peter Lang, who beat him with less than 2,000 votes in the 1980 federal election. Cooke then turned to provincial politics. In the 1985 Ontario election, he was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the Kitchener riding. Cooke won the seat with just under 47 per cent of votes, beating out Progressive Conservative candidate Don Travers by over 4,000 ballots. Following the end of the two-year supply and demand deal between David Peterson’s Liberals and Bob Rae’s NDPs, Cooke ran again for the Kitchener seat in the 1987 Ontario election. He ended up beating the NDP candidate by approximately 7,000 votes. “During his time at Queen’s Park, he chaired committees examining international trade and economic affairs, bringing thoughtful leadership to issues of provincial and international importance,” Cooke’s obituary said. His run ended during the 1990 provincial election, when Cooke lost his seat to the NDP’s Will Ferguson. Following his political career, Cooke was appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. His obituary said he “authored significant decisions that helped shape the development of immigration and refugee law in Canada.” He was also the director of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). “David devoted a lifetime to serving others, both in public office and in his community,” said a statement from the Ontario Liberal Party. “He represented Kitchener with thoughtfulness, compassion and integrity, leaving a lasting mark on those who had the privilege of serving alongside him and the people he represented.” Cooke’s obituary shared more about his life and legacy. “David was defined by the way he lived,” it said. “He believed in giving back to his community, serving as a Big Brother and was active in the United Church choir and communities at Trinity United Church in Kitchener and St. Paul’s United Church in Dundas. He loved dogs, music, birthdays and newspapers. He was a great storyteller and had an even sharper sense of humour. A devoted Monty Python fan, he delighted in laughter and rambunctious shenanigans. And although he couldn’t cook, he loved ‘stirring the pot.’” A funeral service was held on Friday morning, followed by a graveside service a Mount Hope Cemetery in Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, Cooke’s family asked for donations to be made to MacWheelers Exercise Program for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury at McMaster University or the ALS Society of Canada. Cooke was 88.
