This Old House star Roger Cook has died aged 70.
Cook, known to many as the show’s landscaping expert from 1982 to 2020, passed away on Aug. 21 due to a long illness, a statement on the PBS show’s website confirmed.
He is survived by his son Jason, daughter Molly, brother Greg, daughter-in-law Anna and three grandsons: Peter, Noah and James.
His beloved wife, Kathleen, died of cancer in 2010.
Cook began working on This Old House in 1982 while working as a landscape foreman for the Frost and Higgins Company.
This Old House star Roger Cook has died aged 70
He joined the show full-time in 1988 and was part of the Ask This Old House team when it debuted in 2002.
He was known to say on his projects: “In every job there comes a time when we stop talking and start working. Are you ready?”
When Cook first revealed in 2018 that he was considering stepping down due to his health, he wrote: ‘I enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for landscaping.
“My life has been greatly enriched by the professional relationships and friendships I have forged over the years. I greatly appreciate the dedication of our fans and their concern for my well-being. Please rest assured that I am in good hands and know that I appreciate all of your support.”
When not working or gardening, Roger enjoyed saltwater fishing and spending time on Cape Cod.
TOH executive producer Chris Wolfe said: “I remember every lesson Roger taught me. And more importantly, there are millions of people whose lives have been enriched by everything Roger taught them.”
Fred Pendleton, a long-time friend of Roger’s and now co-owner of K&R Landscape with colleague Tom Pica, said, ‘Roger’s specialty and passion was plants, and no one knew better.
‘You could ask Roger any question about any plant – which ones would survive in the shade, how to treat diseases, which perennials or annuals to choose, the best woody plants or deciduous trees for a particular garden, even the Latin names for everything – and he knew it.’
Cook, known to many as the show’s landscaping expert from 1982 to 2020, passed away on Aug. 21 due to a long illness, a statement on the PBS show’s website confirmed.
He was known to say on his projects: “In every job there comes a time when we stop talking and start working. Are you ready?”
Pica added: “Everything I know I learned from Roger. He was one of the greatest people you could ever meet. He was a hard worker and we often worked 10 hours a day, six days a week.
“He absolutely believed that if you were going to do something, you had to do it right, no matter what the cost.”
Cook remained at This Old House until 2020 due to health issues.
His son Jason Cook paid tribute to him in a statement: “Dad spent his whole life helping people – friends, family and clients. One of his biggest regrets about his illness was that he could no longer help people in the same way. With that in mind, Dad asked us to set up a family foundation so we can continue his legacy as a helper in the future.
‘Dad identified several areas that he was passionate about and that we intend to focus the foundation on; the most important of these are wildlife and land conservation, medical research, early childhood education and military veterans.
‘Dad will contribute a significant portion of his estate to the foundation, and if you are willing to join him, the entire Cook family would be grateful to honor his legacy.’
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