Robert H. Cook, Former Norwood Area Chamber of Commerce President and Boston Edison Union Pioneer, Dies at 87-October 16, 1987

Robert H. Cook, an influential civic leader who served as president and executive secretary of the Norwood Area Chamber of Commerce and played a foundational role in utility labor organization, passed away Wednesday at Norwood Hospital at the age of 87. A resident of Norwood since 1929, Cook left a lasting imprint on both the local business community and the labor movement.

From Boston Edison Engineering to Union Leadership

Following a year of service in the Army Regiment Coast Artillery Corps, Cook graduated from the Wentworth Institute in Boston in 1919 with a background in electrical engineering. In 1922, he began a distinguished 43-year career with Boston Edison, eventually retiring as head of the southern division of the production department.

Cook’s impact extended far beyond engineering into the realm of labor relations during an era when Boston Edison was entirely non-union:

• Independent Union Pioneer: He helped organize the independent United Brotherhood of Edison Workers, serving as its first shop steward. In 1946, he was elected president of the 3,500-member organization, serving three consecutive two-year terms.
• CIO Utility Union Leader: Two years later, he became the first elected president of the CIO local of the Utility Union of America after it successfully secured bargaining rights at Edison.
• Harvard Mentorship: During his union tenure, Cook studied labor relations under Harvard economics professor James Healey and worked alongside economic adviser John Dunlop, a Harvard professor who later served as U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Civic Dedication at the Norwood Chamber of Commerce

Transitioning to civic leadership in retirement, Cook joined the Norwood Area Chamber of Commerce in 1962. He served as its president in 1968 and 1969 before stepping into the role of executive secretary.

A 1980 profile in The Patriot Ledger captured his steady, seasoned approach to leadership: “Not your typical gung-ho on-the-rise executive secretary. The 80-year-old Yankee, whose thinking is still as sharp as a tack, has been there and knows most of the answers… keeping the Chamber organized, seeing that events occur on time, steering projects in the right direction, and answering questions.”

An active member of the community, Cook was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors and Funeral Arrangements

He is survived by his wife, Louise M. (Turney) Cook; a daughter, Carolyn Levitre of Norwood; two grandchildren, Robert Levitre of Pembroke and Anne Dolan of Norwood; and three great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held today from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Catherine of Siena Church.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger