OBITUARY | Gifford Cooke, co-founder of Cooke Aquaculture

Canadian fish harvesting company Cooke Aquaculture has confirmed the passing of co-founder Gifford Cooke on March 3.

Born in the New Brunswick community of L’etete in 1938, Gifford Cooke co-founded Cooke Aquaculture in 1985 with his sons Glenn and Michael. Prior to that, he was a marine mechanic in Blacks Harbour for over 30 years and became known as the “Wizard” for his skills in overhauling, repairing, and maintaining vessels throughout Atlantic Canada.

At Cooke Aquaculture, he worked alongside employees to modernise the company’s freshwater salmon hatcheries and vessel fleet in addition to leading numerous construction projects. The aquaculture company he co-founded with his family has since expanded to 14 countries besides Canada and presently employs a global workforce of nearly 13,000.

In his later years, his love of woodworking led to his pursuit of boat building. He proudly built many boats in his workshop with the help of his son Michael and his friend John.

Joel Richardson, Vice President of Public Relations at Cooke Aquaculture, remarked that Gifford Cooke’s “outgoing personality, robust work ethic, friendly sense of humour, and steadfast faith will leave a void not easily filled.”

Gifford Cooke is survived by the former Marjorie Hill, his wife of 65 years, their three children Glenn, Michael and Debbie, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.