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About Casey CookHighlightsCasey and his wife Jan have two adult children, Aaron and Kori, and a grand-daughter, Lexi, who attends Herbert Spencer School. 
Literacy Initiative at New West Library
Casey attended high school in Burnaby, graduating from Burnaby Central High School. He attended college in Michigan, earning a B.A. Casey is retired from the Vancouver Parks Board, where he worked as a Civic Administrator. In this capacity he worked with several communities and neighborhoods in the delivery of services and community development. He served on New Westminster City Council from 1993 to 2005. In 2005 he ran for the position of Mayor. Since 2005 Casey has done some work as a consultant, mainly in the area of organizational change and development. Casey has had a long association with the New Westminster Salmonbellies Senior Lacrosse Club, serving in the capacities of President, General Manager, and Coach from 1980 to 2003. During that time the team won numerous league titles, going to the Mann Cup eleven times, and winning the Mann Cup four times. On three occasions Casey was named the British Columbia Lacrosse Association Coach of the year. In 2000 he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a builder. BackgroundCasey was born on May 11, 1945, in The Hague, Holland. The date is significant only in that it was mere days after the cessation of WWII. Casey was the youngest of five children. The family, as all residents of Holland, was immensely impacted by the events of the war. The population of Holland was awe struck by the Canadian liberation forces, a feeling which has not diminished to this day. Dutch people were overwhelmed by the warmness, humanity and generosity of the Canadian liberation forces. This led to an enduring relationship between the two countries and a view that Canada was a land of tremendous opportunity. Parents Hugh and Janna Cook decided Canada was for them, and the family joined many others, arriving in Halifax in 1950. The family arrived in Burnaby shortly thereafter. As hoped and prayed for, Canada, indeed, was a land of opportunity. With the generosity of the community, and a great amount of help and a base from the Dutch community, predominantly the Christian Reformed Church, the family found its way in Canadian society. Casey graduated from Burnaby Central and attended Calvin College in Michigan and earned a B.A. 
Tour with GVRD Parks Committee
Casey worked with the Vancouver Parks Board for 34 years, retiring in 2003. He worked in the Recreation Division in various communities in Vancouver. In this capacity he worked with many community groups in the delivery of services, and had responsibilities in budget development and management, management of a large staff component, board development and community development. Casey and Jan owned and Jan operated Quality Crest and Screenprint for seven years. This venture was an education in the realities of the private sector. After seven successful years the business was sold. New Westminster has been a wonderful city for Casey and Jan to raise their family. Its many opportunities and close-knit communities have led to many life-long friendships. Casey joined the New Westminster Salmonbellies in 1979 after a six year stint with the Burnaby Cablevision Lacrosse Organization. He joined the organization as General Manager , and also served as coach. He spent the last 10 years with the club serving as President. He retired from lacrosse in 2003. Casey was instrumental in turning the organization into a perennial powerhouse. During the period of 1980 to 1995, the Club went to the Mann Cup eleven times in sixteen years. The Club won the Mann Cup in 1981, 1986, 1989 and 1991. 
May Day Banquet, 2001
For several years Casey was involved in the sport at the national level. In 2000 he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In 1988 the Heights and Glenbrook South neighbourhoods were experiencing significant traffic problems . Neighbourhood meetings were started, and the whole process culminated in the establishment of the McBride Richmond Residents Association. Casey was named the founding president. He served in this Capacity for five years, until he successfully ran for City Council in 1993. He was re-elected in 1996, 1999, and 2002. Casey currently sits on the boards of the Kiwanis Seniors Care Centre and serves as President. Casey has had the opportunity to serve on many city and regional committees: Massey Theatre Board Fraser River Discovery Centre Bd St Mary’s Hospital Board (six years) |
