It is with sad and heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of good friend and Pewter Reporter Mark Cook, who passed away on Thursday morning from recent health complications at the age of 50. The entire Pewter Report staff and family is shocked and devastated to learn about Mark’s death.
Mark Cook and the Pewter Report staff – 2021 – Photo by: Ashley Reynolds/PR
We at Pewter Report extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to Mark’s son, Douglas, Mark’s girlfriend, Daisey, and Douglas’ mother, Erin and the rest of the Cook family and his many friends and fans from his decade with Pewter Report.
Mark spent 10 amazing years at Pewter Report, working alongside Scott Reynolds, whom he met in the summer of 1994. Over the past decade, Mark truly became a legendary Bucs reporter with his own unique wit, charisma, folksy storytelling style, and knowledge of the Bucs from his youth. It was truly his dream job to cover the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the team he grew up loving as a Plant City native.
Mark posted this on his Facebook page the night the Bucs won Super Bowl LV, 31-9, against Kansas City. Sadly, it would be the last Bucs game he would attend.
“What a night! I’ve watched this team with my dad since I was seven years old and with Douglas since we adopted him 17 years ago. The only thing better would have been if we had all been together to see this. We’ve watched a lot of bad football over the last 43 years but this made it all worth it.”
So fitting that he would see one of the best Buccaneers games of all time – in Raymond James Stadium no less.
Mark helped train current and former Pewter Report staffers Andrew Scavelli, Eric Delaratta, Zach Shapiro, Trevor Sikkema, Matt Matera, Taylor “Grizz” Jenkins and Jon Ledyard. He was a great friend, a loyal employee and a damn good reporter with his own unique style. Nobody can replace Mark.
Mark was known for his stories on PewterReport.com, his corny What’s Cooking? videos (to watch Mark’s What’s Cooking? shows – click here) on Pewter Report’s YouTube channel, his regular appearances on the Pewter Report Podcast and his weekly columns on the website – Bucs Monday Mailbag, The Hook and Throwback Thursday.
Scott will be paying tribute to his good friend Mark in his SR’s Fab 5 column on Friday morning on PewterReport.com. We encourage Bucs fans to read it for some special memories and insight into our fallen brother.
Mark Cook and the Pewter Report staff – 2018 – Photo by: Ashley Reynolds/PR
Understandably, we had to cancel today’s Pewter Report Podcast over the sad and tragic news.
Pewter Report will be doing a “Remembering Mark Cook” podcast on Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET on our Pewter ReportTV YouTube channel. We encourage everyone to join us for this virtual online memorial service where the PR staff shares our favorite moments of being with Mark. Sikkema, a Pewter Report alum, will be on the podcast as well as current Pewter Reporters.
We will still be doing a post-game Pewter Report Podcast following the Bucs vs. Bengals preseason game on Saturday night around 11:00 p.m. ET – dedicated to Mark, of course. He would have wanted the show to go on no matter what.
Mark loved the Buccaneers and Pewter Report. He loved his fans and readers.
And we love him.
Mark, we know you’re looking forward to seeing your Momma and Lee Roy Selmon again in heaven – and of course meeting Ricky Bell, Coach Bobby Bowden, Elvis Presley, Ronnie Van Zant and John Lennon among others.
Rest in peace, Ginger Bad Ass.
