INTRODUCTION TO STEVEN JNR (by Dad)
 

I intended to write an introduction here to Steven, particularly for those who only came to know him more recently.

After a few starts I did not feel it was coming together as I wanted.

But I did realise that the words that Bruce Stormer prepared for his own introduction to Steven at the beginning of the service all covered it rather well so I have obtained and reprinted those here.
 
Bruce has known Steven for many years and he was able to produce most of this from his own memories, relying only on our input for some specific details.
 
We are very appreciative of Bruce for capturing Steven’s earlier years so well.


Bruce Stormer - on the life of Steven Cook
 
"So let us now consider the life of Steven Richard William Cook.
 
Although Steven was often called Steve (among many other names) I will be using his full name today so as to distinguish between him and his father Steve.
 
Steven was born at North Shore Hospital Auckland on 8 March 1985, a special birthday present for his sister Crystal who turned 3 that same day.
 
Steven was in a hurry to enter this world, taking only 23 minutes. You might say he has lived his whole life in a hurry and finally left us in a hurry also.
 
Steven moved to Wellington with his family in 1986 and attended Day Care in Johnsonville from 4 and then enrolled at Postgate Primary School Whitby where most of his primary school education took place.
 
From there he attended Kapiti College where he left during his 6th form year. Having decided to leave he did stay on to complete a project he had been working on as his fathers birthday and Christmas present. That gift was a
Train Wagon and track which is on display today.
 
Steven worked part time at Mana New World and on leaving school he continued there before the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself to work at the Police College in the IT area.
 
Steven remained working for the Police and building his skills before taking an upward step to the Telecom-owned Gen-i where he got to fulfil his ambition to be an IT engineer.
 
This ambition had shown itself when at the age of 11 he built a computer out of spare parts, with the help of his father.
 
From early childhood Steven’s creative ability showed itself in his use of Lego and his art work. A
sample of Steven’s Lego construction is on display today also.
 
Steven loved to be out on a bike, first a push bike and then his motorbike – which I am sure we will hear more about later.
 
He participated in many sports but loved cricket and indoor netball the most. Unfortunately a knee injury and surgery cut short his involvement in both and the day he injured his knee at indoor netball may well be the only day his friend Richard Persson got to beat him on court.
 
When Steven wanted a car he chose a Mini and it became a three year project for him and Steve to rebuild. Steven’s casket has been painted with the leftover paint from that project.
 
Steven’s independence really started when in early 2003 he purchased his parents Raumati property which has been both his and his friends home away from home ever since.
 
It was the start of his dream to be a property millionaire. With the doubling in value in the first two years of ownership he was off to a roaring start – just like the rest of his life.
 
Most of all Steven loved people. He loved to spend time one on one with other family members and friends and would go out of his way to make sure this happened. His family and friends were a very special part of his life and we will be hearing from a few of them shortly.

Early in his life Steven attended the rally and youth group here at The Anchor as well as attending camps during the school holidays. During these times Steven learnt about God and his love for us. It was during one of these school holiday camps Steven accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
 
Although Steven was not active in the Church and his Christian faith of recent years, the words of the second verse in the hymn we are about to sing remind us that it is not our actions but God’s that give us a home in heaven for eternity.
 
Let’s stand together and sing “Rock of Ages”, which has been requested by Steven’s mum Jo"

This song marked the end of the Chapel Service, at which point the Pallbearers carried Steven out to the waiting Hearse and on to Whenua Tapu Cemetery.
 


 
The Anchor Church - Whitby (a great start if you are wondering about the meaning of life - and death)

Back to Steven's Links page