Stephen M. Cook

Stephen M. Cook, 45, of Chicago passed away on March 22, 2022. His passing was unexpected and the family is completely devastated by this unfathomable loss.

Stephen was born on November 23, 1976 to George and Linda, the third of four sons. He spent his childhood playing baseball and football, sailing, and road-tripping to many great destinations. Thanks to his parents, Stephen grew up a devoted Cubs fan.

After graduating from St. Patrick High School in 1994, he went on to study at Loyola University ('99). After graduation, Steve followed in his parents' footsteps, becoming a history teacher at St. Thecla for 8 years. 

Steve spent many summers guarding the shores of Lake Michigan at Leone Park Beach. In the years he spent at Leone, he helped defend Leone's 4-man, 4-mile rowing title, made countless friends, and in 1999 started a summer romance that would lead to marriage. 

Steve and Maureen (nee Lally) wed on August 4, 2007. In their 22 years together, Steve and Maureen traveled the world, scuba diving, exploring, and making new friends everywhere they went. True to form as the life of every party, Steve even brought home a few awards for synchronized swimming and dancing competitions on cruises and at resorts. Steve was Maureen's biggest champion, best friend, and they were the loves of each other's lives.

When Steve became a part of Maureen's life, he also became a card-carrying member of the Lally family. As a member, he was not referred to as an in-law, he was a son to Sean (aka Bottler) and Ann, brother to Siobhan (Tom), Aine, Noreen (Jose), and Sean, and just "Cookie" to countless cousins and other family members. Even though Maureen's family dog Guinness threatened his life, he stuck by her and became a dog lover over time. Baxter, Max and Seamus were his (fur) babies and Steve enjoyed taking them to the beach and hunting whenever he could do so.

When Steve left teaching and lifeguarding, he naturally found himself in another career in service of others, as a Police Officer with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago - which includes the world's largest water treatment plant.

Steve was preceded in death by his grandparents, father George, aunt Janice Reiss, uncle James Cook, and cousin Mary Jo Ruiz. He is survived by his wife Maureen, mother Linda (Edward Grant Jr.), brothers Gregory (Kari Percival), Michael, and Timothy (Natalie Garner), aunt Mary Cook, uncle Ray (Fina) Cook, nephews Jasper and Ulysses, nieces Sylvia, Iris, and Ella, and many cousins.

To know Steve, was to be loved by him. His compassion and consideration for others shone through in everything he did; always there for anyone in need. His sense of humor, quick wit, and warmth endeared him to anyone lucky enough to meet him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Cooney Funeral Home located at 625 Busse Hwy. in Park Ridge. Funeral Monday, prayers at 10:00 a.m. going to St. Gertrude Catholic Church located at 1420 W. Granville Ave. in Chicago for Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Misericordia. For information please call 847-685-1002 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com 

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