Bernard W. Cook, 77, of Washington, D.C., died Friday April 13, 2007, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington following a period of failing health. He was born in Gilman, Vt., on Aug. 29, 1929, the son of Arnold A. and Lilla (Hastings) Cook. He attended St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, Vt., St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Conn., and graduated from South Camden County High School, Kingsland, Ga., as valedictorian of the Class of 1948. He was also recipient of the Smith Cup which is annually presented to the school's outstanding student. Mr. Cook enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was a 21-year career veteran serving as a photographer in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1969 at the rank of staff sergeant, he worked security in California until retirement in 1990. During the early 1950s, Mr. Cook studied with Louis Smith of Smith's Photography in Claremont. Following retirement, Mr. Cook moved to Claremont, N.H., and then to Rockledge, Fla., until December 2005 when he entered the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., where he lived until his death. Surviving family members include two nieces, Mary Brown and husband Richard of Claremont, N.H., and Lisa Arsenault and husband John of Rockledge, Fla.; and a great nephew, Christian Arsenault of Rockledge, Fla. Mr. Cook was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Loretta C. Marcotte, and a brother in law, Richard Marcotte. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 6, 2007, at 11 a.m., in St. Joseph's Church, Elm Street, Claremont, with the Rev. Father Albert J. Dagnoli, SS.CC., U.S Navy chaplin, retired. Committal services will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Claremont with full military honors. Friends may call at the Roy Funeral Home, 93 Sullivan St., Claremont, from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA, 01701 or to the St. Joseph's Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 824, Claremont, NH 03743.