Roger A. Cook, owner of K&R Tree and Landscape Company in Burlington and a well-known cast member of This Old House, passed away at the age of 70 on August 21, 2024, after a long illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Kathleen E. (Gulde) Cook, with whom he shared many cherished years of marriage before her death in December 2010.
Born in Biddeford, Maine, Roger was one of two sons of Lucienne and Arthur Cook, Jr. His family initially lived in Woburn before settling in Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1972, where he excelled in varsity basketball and football, while also working part-time in landscaping. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management and conservation law from the University of Maine. Despite his success, Roger remained humble, having started his business from modest beginnings. In 1982, he founded K&R Tree and Landscaping with his wife Kathy, and together they operated it for over four decades, starting with just a jeep, trailer, and lawn mower.
Roger’s involvement with This Old House began in 1982 as a landscape foreman. He became a full-time cast member in 1988 during the renovation of the Lexington Bed & Breakfast. As a certified landscape contractor in Massachusetts, he was an active member of several organizations, including the Massachusetts Arborist Association and the Association of Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts. His approachable nature and expertise endeared him to viewers for nearly 40 years, earning him an Emmy Award for lifetime achievement in 2022.
Outside of his television career, Roger was a dedicated family man, supporting his children and grandsons at sporting events and spending leisurely summers at Cape Cod. He and Kathy grew up in the same community, working hard to instill strong values in their children while building a life together. Roger prided himself on being a supportive father and later a loving “Papa” to his three grandsons.
In recent years, Roger faced challenges due to his illness but remained committed to maintaining a sense of normalcy for his family. His dedication to them and his community shone through, and he was surrounded by loved ones during his final days.
Roger is survived by his two children, Jason Roger Cook and his wife Anna of Boston, and Molly E. Cook of Medford; his three grandsons, Peter, Noah, and James; his brother, Greg A. Cook of California; and several siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 27, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home in Burlington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that trees be planted in local communities to honor Roger’s commitment to the environment.