Dan Cook, a former writer and editor at the San Mateo Times who served as president of the Peninsula Press Club, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.

“He was talented and dedicated to his chosen craft,” Times columnist John Horgan wrote. “His deft editing touch and his way with words will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him.”

Cook, who died Nov. 16, was a reporter and assistant city editor at the San Mateo Times for several years. More recently he worked for the Los Gatos Daily News. Cook was president of the Press Club in 1974 and 1975.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 at American Legion West Valley Memory Post 99, 1344 Dell Avenue, Campbell, according to an obit in the Mercury News. Several friends and relatives have left comments about him in the legacy.com guest book.