It has been my experience that people often come into our lives at just the right times and leave an permanent mark, just by being there, doing what they are supposed to be doing.
They do it so well that you cannot help but take notice.
Readers of this blog will know that our three daughters are, as Jimmy Buffet would say, “Victims of Catholic Education”. I would go out on a limb and say that all three of them are thankful that they are.
Megan ‘2013, Barry & Kelliann ‘2006
When Kelliann started at Aquinas HS in Augusta in 2002, I went to “Back to School Night” and met her teachers. One of them was a “math” teacher named Barry Cook. He appeared to be a little eccentric, but personable. They say that you only get one chance to make a good first impression and Mr. Cook made the cut. A retired businessman, there was something about him that made me understand that he was the real deal.
Before the year was out, I implored him not to retire until all three girls got through the school. It was probably a coincidence, but he obliged, retiring before Megan’s senior year but she was not going to have him for any more classes after she finished honors physics with him.
He pushed his students…pushed them hard, but he had the gift of being able to connect with them at a level so that they wanted to please him as much as anything.
Eleven years and three daughters later, he is still the topic of many family discussions and fond memories and I am confidant that that will continue for many years to come. He and I were like minded in politics and we often discussed fixing the world, when we were not talking about music and guitars. I even came in once as a “guest lecturer” with my 12-String and we played together for Jelly’s class. (Note…Jelly is the commonly used nickname for Elissa)
He got word the other day that Megan was home from Marquette for break and had her four wisdom teeth pulled and reached out on FB and the next thing you know, we had a mini-reunion at our house. I know that Jelly was disappointed that she had to return to Columbia and miss the party. I was tied up at work, but Mr. Cook, Kelliann and Megan had a great visit.
Barry Cook is one of the reasons we kept our girls at Aquinas and I just wanted to say “Thank You” for his dedication to his students.
He is a “One of a Kind, Kinda Guy.
A Simple, Village Undertaker 
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