Patrick J. Cooke III

Patrick J. Cooke III, 72, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 18, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 9,1953 in Middlebury, Vermont, Patrick was the son of Patrick J. Cooke II and Frances (Sperry) Cooke.

Patrick dedicated much of his life to agriculture and trucking. He began working at a very young age on his family's dairy farm in Vergennes, Vermont. This is where it was instilled in him that work came first and playtime came later. In his early 30’s he relocated to Gansevoort, New York.

In addition to farming, Patrick was the proud owner of Cooke Transportation, building a successful business before retiring. Pat started trucking for Northern Oil SB Collins hauling gas and later purchased the first of many trucks and began hauling steel, lumber and oil.

He began working for Walkers, first in Westfield, MA then in Elkton, VA hauling various products from beer and citrus to baby food and was able to travel the country. Later, Pat hauled waste for Cassella from the Hallow in Wilton to Plattsburg, NY and government armored vehicles for the Lenco.

Pat's real true love was farming, every aspect of it. In the mid-nineties, he purchased 50-60 cows renting out “The Casey’s”, a friend's farm, and it was here he won the 1997 super milk award. Later, he went to the Killians Farm, which he said was one of the best times of his life. He met many friends there and always had a laugh or two.  

Pat's heart and soul was in the land, and he would take drives on back country roads to see how the corn was growing, to look at equipment, and to admire farms. He loved planting, chopping and even spreading shit. Where most would turn up their noses, Pat loved the smell of a farm. Coming home in the evening from the farm feeling exhausted was the best feeling for him. As his illness progressed, Pat would watch from his living room window for a glimpse of farm trucks or tractors going by dreaming of being on one. I know with all my heart he's sitting in the seat of a tractor with a big smile on his face among his friends.

Patrick is survived by his longtime companion, Tammy Chase of 23 years; his son, Patrick J. Cooke IV; his daughters, Rachele Karlovetz (Ty) and Alexandra Schwab (Chris); his brother, Kevin Cooke; his sisters, Becky Cooke and Cindy Cooke; and three nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick J. Cooke II and Frances (Sperry) Cooke.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Compassionate

Funeral Care. Interment will immediately follow at Southside Cemetery, 634 Gansevoort Road in South Glens Falls, New York.

A celebration of life will be had afterwards at 330 Pettis Rd in Gansevoort.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please make donations to Farm Aid or the American Cancer Society.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.