Warren William Cookson

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Warren William Cookson Jr. died unexpectedly on January 26, 2012 at home in Edgartown. He was 50 years old.

Bill, as he was known, was born in Baltimore, Md., on June 25, 1961 to Warren W. Cookson Sr. and Laura L. (Neilson) Lee. He went to high school at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Md., and then on to college at The University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore Law School.

Bill was a lawyer for Zurich Insurance and has lived on the Island since 2007. Prior to this time, he lived most of his life in Howard County and Baltimore Counties in Maryland.

Bill had two loves in his life, the sea and the theatre. Sailing and windsurfing were his passion. He also started in high school acting, singing, and sometimes directing shows such as “Man of la Mancha,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “Carousel.” As he grew older, he continued in “Me and My Girl,” etc. In college he discovered the plays of Shakespeare, and when he moved to the Vineyard, he joined the Vineyard Playhouse for their productions and the “Shakespeare for the Masses” series.

Bill is survived by his mother, Laura Lee, and his stepfather, William P. Lee, both of Edgartown; his stepbrother, William Corbin Lee of Huntsville, Al., and his stepsisters, Hannah Lee Spradling and Constance Lee Pullella both of Leesburg, Va., and their families. He is also survived by his former wife, Melanie (Kossoff) Cookson of Oregon and his father, William Cookson Sr. of Howard County, Md. Bill was predeceased by his brother, Dawson L. Cookson, in 1985.

His Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Andrew’s Church, Edgartown on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 am with a reception following in the hall. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1287, Edgartown, MA 02539 or Vineyard Playhouse, Atten. Donations, P.O. Box 2452, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.