after suffering a stroke.

Mr. Cook flew back to New York to recuperate over a week ago and is not expected to return to the Island in an official capacity.

The native New Yorker was due to retire during the Autumn and Candy Foggo has taken over as Director of the Parks Department.

Parks Minister John Barritt said Mr. Cook bade an emotional farewell to parks staff and shook hands with every member of staff before he was presented with a commemorative photograph.

Mr. Cook fell ill on October 10 and spent several days in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

He is currently staying at the Columbian Presbyterian Hospital in New York, which specialises in strokes.