BIDDEFORD — Richard A. Cook, 72, of Biddeford died Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Maine Medical Center following a long illness.

He was born Feb. 26, 1946 in Biddeford, the son of Maurice and Laurette (Richard) Cook and was educated in Saco Schools, graduating from Thornton Academy in the Class of 1964.

On Sept. 5, 1966 he married Doris Guay in St. Andre’s Church.

Dick was a self-employed florist at Heritage House of Flowers in Sanford and in Biddeford.  He was a talented floral designer and wedding planner.  He had also worked at West Point Pepperell, Wood Structures and Precision Manufacturing.

Dick was on the board of directors of La Kermesse Franco-American Festival when it began.  A deeply religious man, he turned his faith into action.  He was one of the first ordained eucharistic ministers in the Portland diocese.  Decorating St. Andre’s Church for the various religious feasts was a passion of his for over 30 years.  He and his wife Doris organized many of the parish fairs.  When St. Andre’s Church closed, he was responsible for the relocation of the St. Andre statue to St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Dick also faithfully visited area nursing homes weekly where he brought Holy Communion, prayed the rosary, and sang with the residents.

Preceding him in death were his sisters, Georgette Blais in 2012 and Jeanne Hamel in 2014.

He is survived by Doris Cook, his wife of 51 years of Biddeford; his daughter Sheila Cook and her husband Andrew Bloom of Portland; his son Jeffrey Cook and his wife Vicki of Biddeford; grandchildren Abigail and Jordan Cook and Isabella and Sophia Bloom.

Visiting Hours will 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 6 at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.