'Born innocent': Mark Cook remembered as tireless crusader for Taunton needy and homeless

TAUNTON — Mark Cook was as caring and selfless as they come.

So said many who paid tribute to him on social media as news spread of his death on Tuesday, April 30, at the age of 57, in Morton Hospital in Taunton.

“Mark was a guiding light for this city. He created a tremendous amount of awareness and effective change. He will be forever missed,” said April Rosario, director of Lifespan Faith Formation at First Parish Church in Taunton, who knew Cook for years.

Cared more about others

Cook was known as a fervent advocate for people in need and especially people experiencing homelessness.

Cook worked for years as a volunteer with the American Red Cross as part of its Disaster Action Team. He was known to travel out-of-state and across the country for disaster relief efforts. In October 2020, for example, he traveled or Oregon as part of the Disaster Action Team to help people displaced by wildfires.

Cook told the Gazette about his work in Oregon: "Some people need more help than others, especially the mentally ill and the homeless that came in," he said. "They needed more services, they needed more guidance, they needed more spiritual care than others. There were certain folks that we spent more time with, and there's some folks that I went every single day that I was able to talk to. Because it gives them hope, and they know someone listens to them."

“From offering a shoulder to cry on, to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long term recovery services, Mark ensured that families he assisted did not have to face tough times alone,” his obituary said.

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The Matthew Mission

As a founding member of the Matthew Mission, located inside First Parish Church, he welcomed anyone who needed a helping hand.

“He was like a brother to me. I loved him. His friendship I will always cherish,” said City Councilor John McCaul, a long-time friend and colleague of Cook's.

McCaul said he and Cook started working together on addressing homelessness during McCaul's first term in office, beginning in 2012.

"Mark spearheaded many homeless initiatives,” McCaul said.

He remembers going to homeless encampments with Cook over the years, offering food, clothes and blankets, and telling people where and how they can get help and local services.

In 2013, McCaul and Cook organized a winter warming station/shelter for the homeless through space at the First Parish Church, the early incarnation of the Matthew Mission.

The mission also included a monthly foot clinic where podiatrists came in to treat foot problems local homeless people might have, such as frostbitten toes and diabetic sores, and the patients left with a fresh pair of socks.

By 2016, the Matthew Mission had evolved to include a food pantry, with Cook being the executive director.

“Mark had the yearn to fight hunger with an emphasis on personal dignity for all who resided in the surrounding Taunton area,” said his obituary.

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Friend to the church

Rosario said Cook loved every bit of time he spent at First Parish, where he was a congregant.

"Even when he was not working at the Mission, he was always thinking of ways to be of service,” she said — including initiatives like a backpack drive for teens, CPR training for high school kid, and the Adopt-a-Teen Christmas Program.

“He was one of the most caring and giving people I ever met. He was always looking for ways to go out of his way to help someone,” Rosario said.

Root of his compassion

Cook’s younger sister, Terri Avilla, said they grew up poor with a single mother.

“We were all close growing up,” she said.

Avilla said she believes their upbringing greatly influenced her brother’s mindset and generous nature.

“We didn’t have a lot growing up. He always liked helping and doing for people who had a hard time doing for themselves,” she said.

His sister also said he never really had what can be called a career, choosing to focus on humanitarian work.

“He had many odd jobs over the years,” she said, including driving transportation for the disabled, for a paralegal and for a veterinarian.

Back in 2018, Cook brought along The Gazette for a visit of a homeless encampment in Taunton. He said he, in fact, spent some time being homeless himself when he was a young man.

“When I go home to sleep on my bed, I always feel so guilty because I know they are out here,” Cook said back then while walking through the encampment.

He said many people are quick to judge and dismiss people who are homeless, not considering the variety of circumstances that may have resulted in their being in this situation.

“Everyone was born innocent,” he said.

Failing health

In early 2021, Cook announced the Matthew Mission was closing due to his failing health. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and told the Gazette he was having great difficulties moving around and lifting heavy items.

First Parish Church quickly decided to take over the mission and transition to just being a food pantry, renaming it the Matthew Mission Food Pantry.

Norm Grenier, who took over as executive director when the pantry reopened later that year, recalls how helpful Cook was when he stepped down.

“He was a mentor and teacher to me. He was gracious helping me make it a pantry that serves hundreds of people every other week,” Grenier said.

Grenier added he and everyone at First Parish were great admirers of Cook's work and the passion he put into the Matthew Mission.

“It’s because of his reputation that we were successful. He had a following. Everyone knew he was the real deal,” Grenier said.

Rosario recalls that mobility for Cook became a struggle but he still came to church services and to volunteer at the food pantry when he could, as well as serve on the pantry’s Board of Directors.

Cook was very open about his health issues through social media. In February of this year he posted on Facebook that he was in Morton Hospital for complications with his kidneys and liver. He spent some time at the Wedgemere Nursing Home before returning to Morton Hospital, where he died "surrounded by the love, comfort, and care of his family," his obituary said.

Said Grenier: “His spirit lives on. He started something and enabled it to be carried on. The Matthew Mission will outlive us all.”

Said McCaul: “He was a genuine person. He had a kind heart. He would help anyone.”

GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses

A GoFundMe page, Giving Back To Mark Cook: Fund for Funeral Costs & Mission, has been set up on behalf of the family to pay for Cook’s funeral costs. “The goal is to raise enough funds to cover his arrangements, with any excess being donated to Matthew Mission, which Mark helped create,” it said on the GoFundMe page.

Paying respects

Memorial services for Mark Cook will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 4 p.m. in First Parish Church, 76 Church Green, Taunton.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton homeless advocated Mark Cook remembered as full of compassion