Truro man searching for his son, almost 20 years after disappearance

Tom Cook, left, and his son Mike, look through a family photo album at pictures of Cook’s eldest son, Troy, who disappeared in 1998 at age 19. Cook refuses to give up the hunt for some clue that will lead to answers about Troy’s disappearance. - Harry Sullivan

TRURO, N.S. - For 19 long years Tom Cook has had but one Christmas wish – to hear from someone with information on his missing son, Troy.

“Every day, that’s all I have … that the phone call I’m going to get saying we know something, or somebody is going to give a tip that is worthwhile,” he said.

Troy, Tom’s eldest son, was 19 when he disappeared on June 11, 1998.

Cook dropped him off at his apartment in Truro around 10 a.m. on that fateful morning. A short time later, Troy’s boss at Atlantic Superstore received a call from someone claiming to be him, saying he wouldn’t be able to work his shift that evening.

Troy has never publicly been seen or heard from since.

Tom has contributed to countless stories and interviews over the years. He hopes the timing might be right this time.

“My biggest thing I’m getting asked is, why am I doing it now?

“Maybe somebody has a guilty conscience or knows something and at this time of year feels a little giving.”

“It’s Christmas. Do the right thing. If you know something, come forward … police, Crime Stoppers, whoever.”

Cook underwent a brain tumour operation in April 2016. Another reason he wants to revisit his son’s disappearance now, is he wasn’t feeling well enough at the time of the 19th anniversary in June to deal with it.

For years, Cook spent every spare minute travelling and putting up countless posters with Troy’s picture and contact information in hopes of turning up a clue. His obsession ultimately cost him his marriage and he still wonders if his younger son Michael, 31, also suffered because of his relentless efforts.

“We did so many things together before Mike was even thought of,” he said. “I hope Mike never thinks I’m spending too much time on it.”

The bottom line, however, is memories of Troy and what happened to him are the first thing he thinks of every morning and the last he thinks of at night. He makes no excuses for his continued, two-decades-long search.

“Maybe somebody has a guilty conscience or knows something and at this time of year feels a little giving.”

Cook doesn’t put up posters anymore because Troy’s pictures are outdated. He still carries information and a photo album with him in his vehicle at all times, on the off chance he’ll encounter someone who knows something.

“I talk about Troy every day, to anybody who wants to discuss him,” he said. “I think it’s just being a father. You know, that’s your son.”

As far as Christmas is concerned, “to me it’s just another day,” says Cook. “I put on a face for friends and family, especially Mike, but to me holidays are just another day because my days just run into each other.”

Cook holds out little hope that his son is still alive but he believes someone, somewhere, knows something.

“After 19 years, I don’t like to think about it, but if there was any way at all he would contact me or Mike or his mother,” Cook said, before offering up the plea he so desperately hopes someone answers.

“Just tell us where Troy is. If he is gone, let us bring him home.”

Troy Cook’s disappearance remains an open file with police.

Under the Justice Department’s major unsolved crimes program, there is a $150,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.