There will be a memorial service for Erick Cook tomorrow, Friday, May 21, at 6:15 p.m. in the Arena at Fairfield High School. Erick died last month two years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Although “memorial service” is the familiar term, which is why I used it above, I know that Erick’s family very much intends it to be a celebration of his life. I expect that it will be dignified, but not somber, very much like Erick himself.

There will be a reception immediately following at the Jungle Jim’s Oscar Event Center. Both the memorial service and the reception are open to the public.

Erick was a leader in our schools, as a principal and superintendent, and in the city of Fairfield, as the mayor. He was also a devoted husband, father, and son, and a dear friend to many. I hope we have a large crowd on hand to help celebrate the wonderful life he led. We have plenty of room for all who want to come. The memorial service, I’m told, is expected to last about an hour.

Erick served as principal at South Elementary, Fairfield Middle School and Fairfield High School. He was a big man, but he never bent over or kneeled down with talking to students, even little ones. I have a vivid image of him standing straight and tall, while looking down kindly -- and firmly -- at students. He built strong, respectful relationships with students of all ages. He knew all their names. He was always friendly, but he was not their friend – he was their principal.

He set a wonderful example for students in the way he mixed dignity with humility. How many other principals would dress up in a gorilla suit and sit on the roof of the school, as he did at South Elementary, to inspire his students to read more books? And do it with poise and pride?

He often told students to give a yellow ribbon to someone who had made a difference in their lives. One year at graduation the senior class decided that as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they would give him a yellow ribbon. Soon there was a large pile of ribbons on the table by his side.

He had a powerful handshake, a booming voice, and a laugh that filled rooms. He was a high-spirited, effusive extrovert, but at the same time was always sensitive to others. One time he had to call one of our teachers at home, after her own son misbehaved at school. She was embarrassed as a parent and mortified as a colleague to have to take that phone call. But Erick knew how she was going to feel, and handled it with understanding and caring for both her son and for her. She still gets tears in her eyes today, many years later, when she thinks about it.

Please come tomorrow and help us celebrate the life that he lived so well.

Published in the Fairfield Echo, May 20, 2010.