Edward C. Cooper, 86, of Derry, NH, passed away at home on October 31st after a long illness, surrounded by family. Edward was born and raised in Woburn, Massachusetts to Agnes and Reuben Cooper.
Ed served in the Navy before returning to civilian life to work in the engineering department of Bell Labs in New Jersey and Massachusetts. In 1972, he founded Cooper Homes in Derry, NH with his best friend and brother, John. Cooper Homes was a family business and pillar of the community for almost 50 years, employing many and building beautiful homes and rental units in Derry and the surrounding towns. Ed had a curious mind and was a man of many talents and interests: he was a recreational pilot, a turner of wooden bowls, and an avid New England sports fan. One of his favorite places to be, was in the driver's seat of his John Deere, mowing his own yard or his lucky neighbors’, then using that freshly cropped grass to perfect his golf swing.
Most of all, he loved spending time with his extensive family. Ed is survived by his wife Betty Cooper, his siblings, John Cooper, Inez Carpenter and Norma Clow; his children (and their spouses), Kristen Cooper Greenwald (Ken Greenwald), Kevin Cooper, Michelle Noel (Nathan Hoffman), Jacqueline Tilly (Jonathan Tilly), Vicki Walden (Jason Greenberg), and Debra Forest (Marc Forest); and his 14 grandchildren who adored their “Papa”: Jacob and Isabel Greenwald; Ben and Charlie Cooper; Hannah and Kaila Abrams, Julia Noel; Madeleine and Kiera Tilly; Mac Modean and Meka Greenberg; Heather, Zachary and Elijah Forest. Ed’s generous spirit, sage advice, capable hands and sharp sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family is planning services for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.