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Archive for the ‘In memory’ Category

“He had a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys”

Posted in In memory, tagged , , , , on June 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Charlie Cook

You can’t talk about Coupeville athletics without paying tribute to the accomplishments of the Cooks.

Wolf Nation lost one of its best in May, with the passing of Charlie Cook, who excelled for the Wolves in whatever sport he played.

Cook was part of the 1974-1975 Wolf hoops squad which advanced to state. (Photo courtesy Bryn Langrock)

 

From the family:

Charles “Charlie” Cook, died peacefully on May 21st, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Charlie was born in Japan in 1957 to Ayako and Roger Cook.

He later moved to Coupeville, where he graduated from Coupeville High School, Class of 1976.

A proud Coupeville Wolf, Charlie was a standout three-sport athlete.

He became a business owner and custom home builder on Whidbey Island after graduation.

In 2008, he moved to Seattle and became a Quality Control Inspector, where he was known as the best inspector the company had ever employed.

Throughout his life, Charlie was known for his generosity and for being one of a kind.

He had a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys.

Whether that was going out fishing on an early morning, playing a round of golf, or sharing a table for a game of poker or cribbage.

He kept his competitive edge sharp in cribbage and poker – still playing up until his final days.

Charlie is survived by his brothers, Richard Cook (Linda) and Raymond Cook (Roni), and his beloved daughter, Lauren Cook.

He will also be deeply missed by extended family, lifelong friends, and the many lives he touched on Whidbey Island.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that his one-of-a-kind spirit will live on.

A celebration of life is to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to the Coupeville High School FutureGenerations Fund through the Whidbey Community Foundation website, supporting opportunities for future Coupeville students.

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“She remained loving and generous”

Posted in In memory, tagged , , , , on June 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Norinne Ellsworth

Norine Ellsworth, who was a loyal Videoville customer back in the day, passed away in May.

She had great challenges in her life but always had a smile for me when she came to the counter.

Norine will be remembered fondly by many.

 

From the family:

Norine Carrie Ellsworth passed away on May 30, 2025, from cancer.

She was born on August 30, 1963, in Richmond, WA to Mary and Roger Ellsworth.

She attended Coupeville High School and graduated in 1981.

Norine worked with Service Alternatives for many years until getting her LMP license at Ashmead College of Massage.

Norine went through a lot of phases in her life dealing with Huntington’s Disease herself and raising a daughter with Cystic Fibrosis, but through all of it she remained loving, resourceful, tenacious, accepting, supportive and generous.

She was an amazing mother and her daughter, Tabitha Roemish, is so grateful for her constant love and support.

She was a cool big sister to her brother, Steve Ellsworth, and a loving Aunt to her niece, Rhiannon. She loved all her family, too many to list.

There will be an informal celebration for Norine Ellsworth on July 12, 2025, at 1272 South Byrd Drive Coupeville, WA 98239 at 5:00 PM.

Come share memories, eat/bring food and let’s celebrate a complex and amazing woman who left us too soon.

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“David will live on in the hearts of all who knew him”

Posted in In memory, tagged , , , , on June 16, 2025| 1 Comment »

David Streubel gets festive with daughter Amanda.

David Streubel was the best of what Wolf Nation has to offer.

A devoted husband, dad, and grandpa, and a meatcutter like no other, he was a straight shooter and as dependable as his handshake was firm.

Mr. Streubel, who passed away earlier this month, bled black and red as a devoted Coupeville sports fan, and was highly supportive of not only his own children, but of their friends and classmates.

But even before I headed back into the world of sports writing with the launch of this blog in 2012, he and his family were a positive presence in my life from their frequent visits to Videoville and Miriam’s Espresso.

He will be missed, but he will be fondly remembered.

Livin’ the college football life with son Nick and wife Nanette.

 

David Matthew Streubel, a devoted family man and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 7, 2025, at the age of 64.

He was born March 8, 1961, in Bellingham, WA.

He was raised in a loving family and has a very large extended family in the Whatcom County area.

He moved to Oak Harbor in 1986 where he had begun his 40-year career in grocery/meat cutting.

He was a dedicated employee and mentored many young workers.

Personally, Dave was a loving man with a quick wit and loved to play pranks.

He loved supporting his children during their sport activities.

He learned more about swim than he ever wanted to know and enjoyed the travel and camaraderie with athletes and families.

Dave watched Amanda cheer and Nick play football and basketball in the kid’s older years.

He loved setting up for tailgate at football games at Tomlinson Field in Ellensburg and meeting players and our extended CWU families.

He was a proud Papa and loved his granddaughters with his whole heart.

He loved to travel and experience new places and people and spend time with family and friends.

Dave did not cook much but had a talent for smoking meats. He has a couple of recipes on the Trager site.

Dave had a lifelong love of music and saw countless acts over the years.

He had many lifelong friends who have shared stories of their adventures over the years. Many are legendary.

He was a gifted carpenter and spent countless hours remodeling two homes.

Those times were filled with pride and frustration (he was a perfectionist when it came to solving finishing issues).

David is survived by his loving wife, Nanette Streubel, his children Amanda Jones and Ryan Jones (Oak Harbor, WA); Nicholas Streubel and McKenna Garske (soon to be Streubel) (Cheney, WA); his granddaughters Natalie Jones and Evelyn Jones (Oak Harbor, WA); his sister Jean Westby (Quincy, WA); sister-in-law Sue Streubel (Bellingham, WA); his brother from another mother, Terry Lane and Chris McGinnis (Marysville, WA); many cousins, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Streubel and Suzanne Streubel, his brothers Michael Streubel and Paul Streubel and his brother-in-law, Paul Westby.

He will be remembered by family and friends as a kind, loving man.

At David’s request, there will not be a formal service.

In the future, we will have a family celebration of life and also a local celebration of life for friends. Those dates will be posted at a later date.

Our family would like to send endless gratitude and thanks to Island Health, Skagit Health, Whidbey Health Hospice team, and the University of Washington Medical Center for expert, compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Gifts from the Heart (food bank in Coupeville, WA) or Small Miracles (provides assistance for families with medical expenses).

David will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

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“Joseph was larger than life”

Posted in In memory, tagged , , , , on April 14, 2025| 2 Comments »

Joe Tessaro (50) stood tall for one of the best boys’ basketball teams in CHS history. (Photos courtesy Chuck Tessaro)

Joe Tessaro was a big man who left a big impact.

Before graduating with the Coupeville High School Class of 1988, the six-foot-five tower of power competed at the state championships in basketball and track, with the discus record he set standing untouched by any other Wolf for 23 seasons.

Tessaro, who passed away at age 54 in March, brought home a 6th place medal from the state track meet as a senior, with his mark of 143 feet, eight inches in the discus sitting atop the CHS record board from 1988-2011.

He was also a starter on the 1987-88 boys’ hoops squad which went to state, pouring in 260 points during his senior season.

The Coupeville native combined with older sibling Chuck to score 598 points across their prep hoops careers, making for one of the most successful brother combos in program history.

Middle school hoops dreams.

 

From the family:

Joseph Lucine Tessaro – September 29, 1970 – March 11, 2025

It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Joseph L. Tessaro on March 11, 2025.

He was 54 years old and will be remembered for his love of life, profound kindness, and generosity.

Joseph was born on September 29, 1970 (a gift to his mother Leah, who shared the same birthday) in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Growing up in Coupeville, on Whidbey Island, Joseph loved and appreciated all that island life offered, including spending time on the beach, fishing in the sound, and hanging out with close friends.

Enjoying time out on the water.

He graduated in 1988 from Coupeville High School, holding the school record in the discus (which stood for 23 years) and was instrumental as a starter on the varsity basketball squad that earned a berth to the state tournament in his senior year, 1988.

After high school, Joseph found his way to Denver, Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Amy, in 1998. They were married on September 2, 2000.

Joseph managed a bicycle shop, worked in the import/export business, and over the past 18 years served as a “Landman” in the oil, gas, and mineral industry – most recently a partner/owner of Pacer Energy in Wyoming.

Joseph also served as President of the Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen from 2017-2018.

Aside from his work, Joseph enjoyed all the mountain region afforded – mountain biking, snowboarding, fishing, and hunting.

Joseph was also an aficionado of classic cars, appreciating their uniqueness and history.

Joseph was larger than life, both in his physical presence at 6 feet, 5 inches, coupled with an infectious smile and uncanny ability to immediately connect with anyone.

With quick wit and humor, Joseph found the best in people, and those around him enjoyed his company immensely.

What Joseph cared most deeply about was his family – wife Amy and daughter Leah, who he dedicated his life and energy to.

Joseph loved spending time with them and supporting Leah’s interests like taekwondo and cheer.

Daughter Leah, makin’ her old man proud.

Joseph was known for his generosity and finding ways to give back to others, whether helping friends and associates in need, or simple and kind acts like buying meals for those that serve our country.

Joseph L. Tessaro is survived by his wife Amy and daughter Leah (Cheyenne, WY), Father Wayne Tessaro (Coupeville, WA), and brother Charles Tessaro (Seattle, WA).

He was preceded in death by his mother, Leah Tessaro (May 1991).

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Roy Mattox, forever part of the hoops brotherhood

Posted in Basketball, In memory, tagged , , , , on February 2, 2025| 1 Comment »

Roy Mattox

The basketball brotherhood is remembering one of its own.

Roy Mattox, who played three seasons of varsity hoops at Coupeville High School, recently passed away at age 81.

Mattox torched the nets for 191 points during his time in a Wolf uniform, while playing alongside CHS hardwood legends such as Mike Criscuola, Utz Conard, and Sandy Roberts.

He remains among the top 150 scorers in the 108-year history of CHS boys’ basketball — currently at 147th — six decades after his playing days.

Mattox scored 34 points as a sophomore during the 1958-1959 season, then followed that up with 74 and 83-point campaigns before graduating in 1961.

 

From the family:

Roy Michael Mattox passed away Jan. 19, 2025, in Carnation.

Mike was born in Queens, New York on Sept. 13, 1943, to Roy Milton and Jean Mattox.

He graduated from Coupeville High School in 1961. He then went to WSU.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Lee Mattox and his sister, Gail Mattox Allen Welches.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce, and son, Michael, and daughter, Dawn, and also by cousins, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

With a career in life insurance sales, he retired after 25 years with Hartford Life first in Seattle and then in Simsbury, CT.

We are having a celebration of his life on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1 PM at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, WA.

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