BRIAN PAIGE
REMEMBERING RECEIVES BEACON ROGER A . AWARD COOK , MCLP , MCA ( 1954-2024 )
BRIAN PAIGE
REMEMBERING RECEIVES BEACON ROGER A . AWARD COOK , MCLP , MCA ( 1954-2024 )
It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of our friend , colleague , and industry icon Roger Cook . Roger passed on August 21 , 2024 after an extended illness .
Owner of K & R Landscaping in Burlington , MA , Roger was a longtime member of our association who served our industry well all of his life . In addition to his countless achievements , he was MALP president in 2000 , president of New England GROWS in 2002 , and one of our very first Beacon Award recipients . As “ America ’ s Landscape Contractor ” Roger was a decades-long cast member of This Old House on PBS .
We extend our deepest sympathy to Roger ’ s family . His generosity , kindness , and mentorship will be dearly missed .
Statement from Roger ’ s son Jason & memorial donation information
“ Dad spent his entire life helping people — friends , family , and customers . One of the biggest regrets with 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 that we can continue his legacy as a helper going forward .
Dad identified several areas he was passionate about that we intend to focus the foundation on — most importantly wildlife and land conservation but also medical research , childhood education , and military veterans . Dad contributed a meaningful portion of his estate to the foundation and if you are willing to join him , the entire Cook family would be grateful to you for honoring his legacy .”
Donate to the Cook Family Giving Fund by visiting : https :// gofund . me / 0d65479e
Supporting Young People Roger especially valued mentoring young people coming into the trades . When This Old House began the “ Generation NEXT ” initiative in 2017 to draw attention to the need for young people to go into the trades , Roger was already mentoring apprentices at K & R Landscape . “ Bringing new people into the trade is so important . It ’ s the only way we can ever hope to expand a business ,” said Roger .
In addition to a contribution to the Cook Family Giving Fund , MALP is exploring meaningful ways to honor Roger ’ s legacy well into the future .
MALP Newsline | Fall 2024 13