CORK
Laurence Alan Cork of Rimbey, Alberta passed away at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Area Two on Monday, January 2, 2012 at the age of 77 years. He resided at the Rimbey Hospital since May, 2007 after suffering from a stroke.
Laurence was born on January 10, 1934 at St. Paul's Hospital in Rimbey. He was born at 7:15 p.m. on a Wednesday and weighed 7 lb, 14 oz. Laurence was the first child for his parents, George Cork and Mary (Peabody, Cork) Baines. Both of his parents were children from Rimbey pioneer families. From birth Laurence lived at the Peabody farm at Iola. In 1942 his father went to war, and when his mother left he continued to live with his grandparents, Frank and Eliza Peabody and Eliza's mother, Mary Wood. When Laurence was a baby, his Grandpa Frank said he jumped around like a little toad. From that point on, he was always known as "Toad" to his family. Most family members never knew him by any other name. Toad moved with his grandparents and three siblings to Hoadley in 1945 when he was 11 years old. At the age of 13 years, the children moved to Rimbey to live with their father. It was a rough transition, and basically from that point, Toad was on his own. As he grew, he learned to survive...sometimes the hard way. Toad worked odd jobs throughout the province. He tried a stint in the Army, but that was not his thing. He gravitated towards what he knew best from his early years, and that was working on a farm. He was a farm labourer for many years, finding a niche with a farmer near Innisfail.
Laurence is survived by two sisters, Murial (James) McConnell of Leduc; and Alice (Erwin) Kirsch of Edmonton; his brother, Ronald Cork of Edson; and his stepbrother, Ed (Gladys) Cork of Red Deer. He is also survived by two aunts, Alice Graham of Vulcan; and Fern Chaffee of Kelowna, B.C.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Laurence, or "Corky" as non-family members knew him, was predeceased by his long-time companion, Hazel; his parents; his half-brothers, Stanley and Ronald Baines; and his half-sister, Jean Cork.
With respect for Laurence's wishes, no formal Funeral Service will be held. Cremation took place at the Central Alberta Crematorium, Red Deer. Interment will take place at a later date in the Spring. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Laurence's Memory may be made directly to the charity of one's choice. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by email to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Laurence Alan Cork
entrusted to the care of
OBERHAMMER FUNERAL CHAPEL
Rimbey, AB. 403-843-4445