Carman Edgar Cook

COOK, Carman Edgar…

April 14, 1927 – March 17, 2022

Carman’s sense of bold adventure and do-it-yourself spirit inspired everyone who met him. Entrepreneur, aviator, mentor, world traveler, whip-smart, and ever the eternal optimist; Carman never encountered an obstacle that he didn’t figure a work-around to achieve success.

As the only surviving son and youngest child of Stephen Edgar Cook and Wilhelmina (Baker) Cook, Carman grew up on Victor Street in London where the Thames River was his playground. His insatiable curiosity and passion for the outdoors shaped his life of adventures. As an aviator, Carman flew his single engine Cessna back and forth from London to San Diego every three weeks during the winters. Side trips included flying his Cessna to Acapulco using road maps for navigation. Once caught in a whiteout blizzard in the mountains of New Mexico, Carman landed on the highway. A patrol officer helped Carman pull the plane off the road, drove him to a hotel for the night, and stopped traffic to watch Carman take off. The officer was so awed at the skill and daring in that landing that he didn’t even cite Carman. Carman shrugged off the harrowing experience; it never would deter his spirit.

Carman left teaching at Glendale Elementary School in the early 1960’s to start businesses. He purchased a WWII barracks, reconstructed it on Exeter Road and made steel swimming pools. His steel prowess expanded into constructing all things metal: factory fixtures, garbage dumpsters, light poles, winding staircases, there was nothing Carman couldn’t mastermind with steel. And so, he built his third business: the first self-storage facility in Canada. Banks refused to loan money for such an unheard-of venture, so he sacrificed his Cessna to finance his vision. For the first two buildings Carman worked alongside the blocklayer, finishing the rest of the structures by himself. For the third building, Carman learned tilt-up technology in a Las Vegas seminar and then constructed the building alone–troweling concrete into the wee hours of many nights. He unflinchingly took to difficult tasks and showed anything can be accomplished with grit, smarts, and perseverance. Seven more buildings followed.

In August 1954, Carman ventured to California where he met and married the love of his life Alma Bly DeLongis. Alma was his match in adventure and risk-taking. She loved to laugh, and friends came easily to them. Living in London and San Diego, they embraced a life full of wonderful friends.

Carman and Alma traveled the world with their family and friends. Carman daily swam, rollerbladed, or rode a bike. At seventy-nine, Carman whitewater rafted through the Panama jungle. Carman water-skied, snow-skied, and rode his horse into his mid-eighties. His life was spent in motion; he moved with purpose and dignity.

Carman is survived by his daughter, Joey Cook-Gabaldon, her husband John Gabaldon, Carman’s son Anthony De Longis and Anthony’s wife Mary, Carman’s only grandchild Cole Carman Joseph Gabaldon, Cole’s wife Traci and Cole’s children Otto, Luna-Joey, John, and Tracin-Cole. Carman is also survived by his nephew Robert Reid (Wendy) and three nieces, Janet Sybrandy (Phil), Ann Kirk (Scott) and Cheryl Reid.

Carman’s almost ninety-five years are to be celebrated. There is no life more richly lived and enjoyed than the life Carman made for himself. Everyone who knew him always have stories to tell. We miss him so very, very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Littlewood United Church, 6780 Westdel Bourne, London, ON N6P 1P3 would be most appreciated. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com