‘This Old House’ Legend, Roger Cook, Dead at 70

(ProsperNews.net) – Home renovation star Roger Cook, whose television career expanded over four decades died at 70 years old after a long battle with illness.

Cook died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, which was announced the following day on a social media post written by one of his children and shared on Cook’s official page. The message said they were “saddened” by the news and that Cook’s absence would “leave a void” in their lives.

In another post, the family shared a GoFundMe page and asked anyone interested “in honoring” Cook’s legacy to donate to “one of his last wishes.” The money will go towards “a family foundation” that will allocate toward funding land conservation and wildlife preservation work, medical research, and other nonprofits in other areas Cook was concerned about. So far, the GoFundMe has raised almost $29,000 out of a goal of $100,000.

Cook was a regular featured expert of the home renovation show This Old House for almost 40 years and his family expressed gratitude to the show’s fan base for all of the love they showed Cook “over the years.” Cook started appearing on the show in 1982, the same year he and his wife, Kathleen, founded the K&R Tree and Landscape Company together. In 1988, This Old House hired him as a full-time member of the cast. Featured alongside Cook were tradesmen Tom Silva, Norm Abram, and Richard Trethewey, and the show was hosted by Kevin O’Connor. Cook stepped down from the show in 2020 when his health began to decline.

K&R Tree and Landscaping co-owner and longtime friend Fred Pendleton said one could ask Cook “any question about any plant,” and he would be able to answer. Cook served as a member of the New England Crows board of directors and on the board of directors of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts. He also belonged to the Massachusetts Arborist Association.

Cook’s obituary said despite his television career, winning an Emmy Award, and having thousands of social media followers, the landscaper never let it go to his head. He is survived by a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren.