Steve Cookingham, 57

Steven Donald Cookingham of Montauk, who was 57, died at Southampton Hospital on Oct. 28 after having a heart attack.

 Mr. Cookingham had lived in Montauk since 1998, pursuing a career as a craftsman, most recently with Montauk Craftsman Inc. He was said to take great pride in his work and to pay meticulous attention to detail.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1957, in Bronxville, N.Y., to Robert and Janice Cookingham and raised in Tarrytown, N.Y.  After graduating from Sleepy Hollow High School, he attended the State University of New York at New Paltz and later the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he was the recipient of a scholarship from the Ford Foundation. He graduated from Pratt in 1979 with a fine arts degree and then worked in Tarrytown as a carpenter.

Mr. Cookinigham was described by family members as a kind and gentle soul who was many things to many people. He had empathy for anyone who was struggling, they said, adding that his greatest talent was being a true friend.

Mr. Cookingham is survived by his parents, Robert Cookingham and the former Janice Bauder, who now live in Williamsburg, Va. Two siblings, James Cookingham of Somerville, N.J., and Susan Finn of West Chester, Pa., also survive, as do two nephews and two nieces.

A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Shagwong restaurant in Montauk. A lover of animals, his family has suggested donations in his name to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975.