Paul Cook Memorial

Paul Cook 1940 – 2025
Ryerson University Athletics Hall of Fame

The Ryerson Rams Hockey Alumni, especially the remaining members of the Ryerson Rams men’s 1960-61 and 1962-63 hockey teams, regretfully announce the passing of one of our most popular players, Paul Cook in December, 2025.

Paul, or “Cookie” as known to his teammates, played for the Ryerson Rams for two seasons including the 1962-63 undefeated OIAA Championship team. Fifty years later, in 2012, along with his teammates, he was inducted into Ryerson’s Athletics Hall of Fame. He also has a seat named after him in Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens).

Both of his Ryerson Rams teams were fast skating – well coached – powerhouse OIAA teams and included players who experienced brief NHL play as well as others who had played major Jr “A” – including one who had won a Memorial Cup. On those teams Cookie was the kind of player every good team needs to succeed. He knew and played the fundamentals of the game at both ends, backed up out of position players and could feather a tape-to-tape pass with skill. Above all, he was a good teammate and became one of the most popular players on the teams. Later, he joined the Ryerson Rams Hockey Alumni and played in the annual golf tournaments and regularly attended alumni events.

Above: Paul Cook poses in front of plaque at the Mattamy Athletic Centre/Maple Leave Gardens, honouring his Ryerson Rams team mate, Don DésJardine.

Below: #8, Paul Cook, celebrates an assist on a Ryerson Rams goal scored by Rick Jordon.

Above: 1962-63 Ryerson Rams – Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OIAA) Champions

As many hockey players do, Cookie also had a bit of a mischievous side. At the time, Ryerson was a relatively new technology institute trying to create a good impression in Toronto.

He lived in Kerr Hall, the main student residence and the problem he faced was that there was no fridge in Kerr Hall to cool his beer. As a solution, he took to storing his beer on the window ledge outside his room. Unfortunately, Dean Sutherland – or “Sudsy” as he was known – the Ryerson official in charge of residences, noticed the beer, took an immediate offence and called poor Cookie up on the carpet. Needless to say, it was such a serious transgression, it was the last time anyone, including Cookie, put their beer out on the window ledge.

Another issue – which his teammate, good friend and eminent team prankster, Don DésJardine loved to relate at alumni events was that “Cookie threw nickels around as if they were manhole covers”.

So much so, that when Don owned his “Fish & Chipery” restaurant in Owen Sound, he invited Cookie for lunch. As Don loved to tell it, thinking he was in for a free lunch, Cookie brought his entire family up to Owen Sound. Don met him – told him he bought his fish at 10¢ each off the local dock and was making a bundle. When the waitress later brought the bill, Cookie asked to see Don and she replied, “he left a few minutes ago”.

Following graduation from Ryerson in 1963, Paul enrolled in Waterloo Lutheran University to complete his degree and then moved to Elora where he taught secondary school in Fergus for many years. He also continued playing and coaching hockey and was actively involved in community affairs. His great pride was his cottage in Tobermory where he enjoyed many wonderful summers with his family.

Our sincere condolences are extended to his wife Sandra, sons Chris, Kevin and Paul, grandkids, great grandkids and their families. It was a full life, very well lived and was an honor to have known and played with him.

Memorial submitted by: John Taylor #20, 1962 – 1965, Ryerson Rams Teammate.

Paul Cook 1940 – 2025 Ryerson University Athletics Hall of Fame

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Paul Cook 1940 – 2025
Ryerson University Athletics Hall of Fame