J.P. Blase Cooke
1947 - 2007

Eulogies

Harkins Executives

Remembering Blase Cooke President, Chief Executive Officer

We were deeply saddened by the death on October 2, 2007 of J.P. Blase Cooke, our president and CEO, our mentor, and our friend. Blase was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, and he fought courageously to survive and to live his life to the fullest for as long as possible.

The example of Blase’s life will be an enduring inspiration. He was born into a family of modest means and grew up  in the Irvington neighborhood of Baltimore. When he was twelve his father died, and Blase took on many of the responsibilities for raising his four siblings. He worked during his teens to contribute to the family expenses, including as a caddy at Turf Valley resort, the beginning of a long enjoyment of the game of golf.

After graduating from Edmondson High School in 1966 Blase served two years as an Army military policeman at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, where he met his wife, Dawn. In 1968 Blase came to Thomas P. Harkins, Inc. as a laborer earning $3 an hour. He rose steadily through field positions, while attending night classes at the University of Baltimore and earning a bachelor’s degree with honors in business management. He was promoted to division manager in 1978, vice president in 1980, and was elected president and chief operating officer in 1984. When founder Thomas P. Harkins, died in 1993, Blase assumed full ownership of the company, and was elected chairman and CEO of Harkins Builders, Inc. Through his tremendous leadership, great community involvement, and charitable giving, Blase built on the foundation Mr. Harkins had established, sustaining the company’s reputation and leading Harkins Builders to ever greater success and prosperity. He continued to be involved with the business of Harkins Builders right to the end, and he carefully paved the way for the transition of his ownership and leadership of the company. One of his legacies is the employee stock ownership plan which he created as a retirement vehicle for Harkins employees, who are now the majority owners of the company.

Blase was devoted to his family – his wife Dawn, and three sons Jason, Brian, and Kevin and their families. He was well known for his involvement in many charitable and civic organizations. He served on the board of Catholic Charities, and was on the board of the archdiocese of Baltimore. He believed strongly in giving back to the community, and encouraged the employees at Harkins to follow his example. He was a major contributor and fundraiser for My Brother’s Keeper in his old neighborhood of Irvington, where their new community facility is named in his honor.

Throughout his career, and even while battling cancer, Blase never failed to look beyond himself and to reach out to touch people in a special way. All who worked with Blase in any way were inspired by his enthusiasm and total commitment to the success of his business, his family, and his charitable causes. All of us at Harkins have been very blessed to have had Blase Cooke as our friend and leader.