Obituary for Akinyele Cook
Akinyele B. Cook was born on March 15, 1969. He was the first son born to Earlean Barton and Daniel R. Cook in Harlem Hospital, NY. Akin grew up in Harlem, NY with his brother James Hassan Barrett and cousins Shushania and Tisha Barton.
He attended the Bank Street School and later graduated from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. As a gifted musician, he attended and graduated from Boston Conservatory at Berkeley. Later he attended City College of New York.
He then went on to work as an assistant teacher at the Child Development Center on City College’s campus for over twenty-three years, until its closure. In this position, Akin was able to integrate his love of music and intellect with the young children.
He then worked at the Bronx House Recreational Center as a teacher, later transferring to Hopscotch Montessori School, where he worked until his untimely passing.
Akin’s first born, Mitye Cook, was born to him and Keshia Saunders in 1991. In 1995, he later met Carol Bing, and to them was born Malik A. Cook in 1999. Akin was devoted to his children.
Akin was an avid reader who loved books. His favorite authors were Stephen King and James Patterson. He also enjoyed reading biographies and loved to share their stories with his peers. He was an avid fan of hard rock and Kiss was his favorite group. Through the years, he perfected his artistry as a guitarist and was known to play music for the children he taught. Nothing made him happier than visiting the Bronx Zoo and the Museum of Natural History with his children and niece, Zoey.
Akin was predeceased by his grandparents, Earl and Marcella Barton, Catherine and Charles Cook, his grand aunt Elvira Gilford, his cousins Jay Sweet, Khalil and Monique Barton. Akin leaves to cherish his memory, his parents Earlean Barrett and Daniel Cook; uncles, Earl Barton and Pete Savage; brothers James Barrett and Daniel Cook, Jr.; sisters Jessica Robinson, Dara and Naima Cook; Children Mityr and Malik, grandchild Aya Cook; Nephew Bishop Barrett; nieces Zoey, Jasmine and Yameena; Cousins Shushania, Jetuan Epps and Tisha Barton; godmother Latrella Thornton; close friends Ralph Carter and Niall Blum. He also leaves to mourn a host of family and friends.
He attended the Bank Street School and later graduated from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. As a gifted musician, he attended and graduated from Boston Conservatory at Berkeley. Later he attended City College of New York.
He then went on to work as an assistant teacher at the Child Development Center on City College’s campus for over twenty-three years, until its closure. In this position, Akin was able to integrate his love of music and intellect with the young children.
He then worked at the Bronx House Recreational Center as a teacher, later transferring to Hopscotch Montessori School, where he worked until his untimely passing.
Akin’s first born, Mitye Cook, was born to him and Keshia Saunders in 1991. In 1995, he later met Carol Bing, and to them was born Malik A. Cook in 1999. Akin was devoted to his children.
Akin was an avid reader who loved books. His favorite authors were Stephen King and James Patterson. He also enjoyed reading biographies and loved to share their stories with his peers. He was an avid fan of hard rock and Kiss was his favorite group. Through the years, he perfected his artistry as a guitarist and was known to play music for the children he taught. Nothing made him happier than visiting the Bronx Zoo and the Museum of Natural History with his children and niece, Zoey.
Akin was predeceased by his grandparents, Earl and Marcella Barton, Catherine and Charles Cook, his grand aunt Elvira Gilford, his cousins Jay Sweet, Khalil and Monique Barton. Akin leaves to cherish his memory, his parents Earlean Barrett and Daniel Cook; uncles, Earl Barton and Pete Savage; brothers James Barrett and Daniel Cook, Jr.; sisters Jessica Robinson, Dara and Naima Cook; Children Mityr and Malik, grandchild Aya Cook; Nephew Bishop Barrett; nieces Zoey, Jasmine and Yameena; Cousins Shushania, Jetuan Epps and Tisha Barton; godmother Latrella Thornton; close friends Ralph Carter and Niall Blum. He also leaves to mourn a host of family and friends.