JOSEPH HENRY NOOK, JR. of Gates Mills, Ohio passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the age of 84. Joe was born on April 17, 1934 and grew up in Shaker Heights.
He attended Gesu School and after graduating from University School in 1952 he went on to Dartmouth college where he competed on the figure skating team. He proudly served in the National Guard for seven years earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Joe later received his Executive MBA from Harvard Business School.
His enthusiasm and love for business began in high school working at his father’s companies, Nook & O’Neill and NOCO Company. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was a successful entrepreneur and in 1969 he founded Nook Industries, now entering its fiftieth year in business. He organized the acquisition and sale of Mayfran International and in 2012 launched Helix Linear Technologies with his son, Christopher.
Joe was instrumental in supporting Cleveland as a major sports venue bringing the Davis Cup Finals to the city in the early 70s. He was a founder and trustee of Cleveland Championships 2000, a non-profit that successfully hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 2000 and 2009. Monies from these events is invested to support competitive figure skating in Northeast Ohio.
Joe selflessly gave of his time, energy, and res to his many passions throughout the community. Among them were his Church, University School, Laurel School, Beaumont School, Gilmour Academy, The Cleveland Skating Club, Canterbury Golf Club, Urban Squash Cleveland, The Cleveland Art Museum, and The Cleveland Playhouse. Joe was a longtime member of The Country Club of Pepper Pike, The Chagrin Valley Hunt Club and The Sanctuary Golf Club on Sanibel Island.
His competitive nature and considerable ambition shone through in business and his many passions including: golf, sailing, tennis, skating, skiing, fishing and dancing. A leader in all his endeavors, he was a kind, generous spirit who shared his love of life with everyone he met. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife, Mary Lynne Dowling Nook (Mimi) with whom he cherished 52 years of marriage; his four loving children, Joseph H. III, Christopher, Katherine and Molly; two daughters-in-law, Kate Ritt Nook and Amy Gorman Nook; one son-in-law, Kurt Slingsby; his dear sisters, Lois N. Sussen (Dan), Mary N. Huettner (Don, deceased); his brother, William Nook (Shirley); and six grandchildren, Emma, Joseph H. IV, Thomas, Sean, Nini and Andrew.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. Nook and Viola Knight Nook. A Mass in celebration of his life will be held at the Church of the Gesu in University Heights at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2019. The family will receive friends at the SCHULTE & MAHON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 5252 MAYFIELD RD.
, LYNDHURST (BETWEEN RICHMOND AND BRAINARD) THURSDAY, JANUARY 3RD FROM 4 TO 7 PM.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
