Celebration of Life Information
William F. “Buzzy” Cooke, Jr of Wilmington, DE passed away on February 17, 2026 after a long illness. Born in Wilmington, DE, he was the son of the late William F. and Ruth Cooke.
A member of the first graduating class of John Dickinson High School, he went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Delaware. He began his distinguished career as a teacher at Henrik J. Krebs Elementary School. Five years later, he became the principal of Richey Elementary School. He went on to serve as principal of Poplar Avenue, Lore, Baltz, and Forest Oak, completing his tenure at Brandywine Springs where he retired in 2010.
Buzzy was a deeply committed Christian and lifelong member of Catalyst Community Church, formerly Bethany Baptist Church, of Newport, DE. As a Deacon and Elder, he lived to serve his community and to share the gospel in the way he lived his life. His favorite verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gloria Aluise Cooke, 4 sons, Andrew Cooke (Jule), Garrett Colberg, Adam Cooke, and Aaron Cooke (Faith), and grandson, William. He also leaves behind his sister Carolyn Benton and husband Duane, as well as nieces and nephews.
Buzzy was blessed with a positive outlook on life and a “gotta believe” attitude when it came to facing life’s adversities. Even though he had to give up driving when he became ill 2 ½ years ago, he made a bucket list with his sons and grandson and proudly completed it with their help. He loved those young men with all his heart.
He was deeply, deeply honored to have the William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School named after him in 2013 and made every effort to support their students. He believed the best way to make a difference in a community was to find ways to serve those in need, and he always found projects at each school to involve the students in some way. Whether he was helping to organize a community block party at his church, bringing food to those in need, serving on the board of Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, or shooting hoops wherever he could find a basketball net, he engaged with the people around him. He kept a small, hand written reminder on his dresser mirror, “ Be Happy For Others.”
He is already dearly missed by his wife and children, his extended family, his many friends, and all those who knew him. God has blessed those whose lives he touched.
There will be time to pay respects on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Catalyst Community Church, 410 Denver Rd. Newport, DE 19804. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:30 a.m. There will be a light lunch in the church social hall after the service. A private burial will take place another day.
For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the bottom of this page. The recording will also be posted to this page for later viewing.
A member of the first graduating class of John Dickinson High School, he went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Delaware. He began his distinguished career as a teacher at Henrik J. Krebs Elementary School. Five years later, he became the principal of Richey Elementary School. He went on to serve as principal of Poplar Avenue, Lore, Baltz, and Forest Oak, completing his tenure at Brandywine Springs where he retired in 2010.
Buzzy was a deeply committed Christian and lifelong member of Catalyst Community Church, formerly Bethany Baptist Church, of Newport, DE. As a Deacon and Elder, he lived to serve his community and to share the gospel in the way he lived his life. His favorite verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gloria Aluise Cooke, 4 sons, Andrew Cooke (Jule), Garrett Colberg, Adam Cooke, and Aaron Cooke (Faith), and grandson, William. He also leaves behind his sister Carolyn Benton and husband Duane, as well as nieces and nephews.
Buzzy was blessed with a positive outlook on life and a “gotta believe” attitude when it came to facing life’s adversities. Even though he had to give up driving when he became ill 2 ½ years ago, he made a bucket list with his sons and grandson and proudly completed it with their help. He loved those young men with all his heart.
He was deeply, deeply honored to have the William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School named after him in 2013 and made every effort to support their students. He believed the best way to make a difference in a community was to find ways to serve those in need, and he always found projects at each school to involve the students in some way. Whether he was helping to organize a community block party at his church, bringing food to those in need, serving on the board of Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, or shooting hoops wherever he could find a basketball net, he engaged with the people around him. He kept a small, hand written reminder on his dresser mirror, “ Be Happy For Others.”
He is already dearly missed by his wife and children, his extended family, his many friends, and all those who knew him. God has blessed those whose lives he touched.
There will be time to pay respects on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Catalyst Community Church, 410 Denver Rd. Newport, DE 19804. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:30 a.m. There will be a light lunch in the church social hall after the service. A private burial will take place another day.
For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the bottom of this page. The recording will also be posted to this page for later viewing.
directions & donations
For directions to Catalyst, please use the buttons below.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to one of the following:
Catalyst Community Church
410 Denver Avenue, Newport, DE 10808
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road West Chester, PA 19382
Urban Promise Wilmington
2401 Thatcher St. Wilmington, DE 19802
Sunday Breakfast Mission
P.O. Box 352 Wilmington, DE 19899
Catalyst Community Church
410 Denver Avenue, Newport, DE 10808
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road West Chester, PA 19382
Urban Promise Wilmington
2401 Thatcher St. Wilmington, DE 19802
Sunday Breakfast Mission
P.O. Box 352 Wilmington, DE 19899
Celebration livestream
The Celebration of Life service livestream will be available to view on Friday, February 27 at 11:30 a.m.
The livestream will be recorded and available here for later viewing.
The livestream will be recorded and available here for later viewing.