John I. Cook ’76

It is with sadness the class officers report the sudden death of John I. Cook on July 9, 2025 in Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, where he lived in retirement. John was a former high school history teacher at White Plains High School.

Born and raised in New York, John graduated from St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire where he played basketball and ran track. At Princeton, he majored in sociology, worked at WPRB, and earned a teaching certificate. His senior thesis was titled “A Critique of Studies on the Black Family.” John was a member of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni.

After graduation, he taught 10th grade history and 11th grade social studies at White Plains High School for over a decade. He was well loved by his students and made a lasting impact. He introduced himself to his students with, “Inside the classroom, I am Mr. Cook, outside, I’m Cookie.”

Susan Feder reminisced, “John and I grew up in White Plains, NY and met in junior high. I remember his friendliness, warmth, tall good looks, and keen intelligence. Yet when it became time to be tracked for honors classes at White Plains High School he was denied placement. His mother had the wherewithal to get him out of White Plains and to St. Paul’s School. We were thrilled to reconnect at Princeton, though we traveled in different circles and didn’t cross paths nearly as much as we might have. My parents also knew John as they had been volunteer tutors at the public housing complex where he lived. Before we graduated my father urged John to go to law school and promised him a job in the local firm he had recently founded. John instead decided to teach at White Plains High School, giving back to the school system that should have done better by him.

A highlight for me of our 25th reunion was introducing John to my family. He told my very petite blond nine-year-old that he’d had a crush on me in junior high school. She looked way way up at him and I could see the cogs turning in her head.

More recently I kept up with him on Facebook as he created a life in Costa Rica full of friends, food, yoga, and music (he had a radio show, Johnny Jazz). The outpouring of affection following his death shows how well he succeeded.”

Lloyd Lawrence remembered, “John blogged under the heading of his Educational Excellence organization. I have subscribed for a decade or two. We both were WPRB disc jockeys, regularly played basketball at Dillon gym, and completed certification in the Teacher Preparation Program. Much of what I know comes from reading his blog. Randy French was a true running buddy of John’s. John was a straightforward person who cared greatly about the world’s evil. He did not mention any life-threatening illnesses in his blog. John planned to stay in Costa Rica permanently and was working on documents for that purpose.”

Randy French reflected,

“Whoa. 

Johnny Cook. Cook.

Way back when - he was the closest friend and person I ever had.

If you saw him, you saw me. If you saw me, you saw him. Ask anyone.

Although not close like we were, we still had love for each other.

I just don’t want to believe it .... RIP SIP my brother

‘Johnny Cook - larger than life’”

Sergio Sotolongo’77 recollected, “John left a lasting impression with many of us and other classmates. After Princeton, he was involved in a number of endeavors that included teaching, mentoring and eventually settling in Costa Rica where he taught English to many residents there. He embodied the Costa Rica spirit of Pura Vida (pure life)! He will be missed.”

VeTalle Fusilier’78 wrote, “John and I shared a mutual love of music and basketball that remained thru the decades. We recently chatted back and forth about the New York Knicks’ recent success in the NBA playoffs. I was an enthusiastic listener of ’Johnny’s Jazz Show,’ on Wolaba Radio in Costa Rica. We joked about him playing tunes from the WPRB days to this new audience. We treasure the memories of our brother.”

John published three memoirs: “From the Projects to Princeton: aka The Cook Book; Three Strikes; You’re Out!!!: The Cookbook, Part II and Cooking With Life! Cook Book III. He also published a blog titled Educational Excellence. John was active on Facebook with over 3700 friends, including many former students who wrote emotional testimonies to the positive influence he had on them as a teacher years ago. He is described in tributes as “a beautiful soul, icon, more than a teacher,” “a towering figure,” “an inspiring teacher,” and “a passionate jazz enthusiast.” John was living his dream in retirement in Costa Rica.

The class officers send sincere condolences to his daughter Ayanna Belton, grandson, sister Edna, nephew Brandon Shyne, and extended family. John’s farewell service and scattering of ashes were held on the beach at Puerto Viejo on July 17, 2025.

John will be remembered at two services on the Princeton campus: the Princeton University Service of Remembrance at the University Chapel on February 21, 2026, and at the Class of 1976 50th Reunion Memorial Service on May 22, 2026.

The Princeton Class of 1976 will always hold, in honor and affection, the name of John Isaac Cook.