William P. Cooke Sr.

William P. Cooke Sr., 77, of Bethlehem, died on Friday October 22, 2010 at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem. Born in Scranton, PA, he was the son of the late Jerome and Genevieve Foy Cooke. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Theresa Bencak Cooke.

He was a Bethlehem police officer for 33 years retiring as a captain. He was a member of Holy Infancy Catholic Church, Bethlehem and a veteran of the Army having served during the Korean War.

He will be lovingly remembered by his sons, William Jr. and wife Frannie, and Michael, brothers, James and wife Denise, and Jerome and wife Helen, sisters, Betty Pagan, Mary Bragg and husband John, Carol Fertal and husband Edward, granddaughter, Stephanie Karabinus and husband Christopher, great grandchildren, Jared and Jenelle Karabinus, and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Ann Burkhardt, died earlier.

Viewing hours will be held on Tuesday October 26th from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Infancy Catholic Church, 312 E. 4th St. Bethlehem. Interment will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.