Obituary of Gordon H Cooper

Gordon H Cooper, age 97 died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Little Brook Nursing & Convalescent Home in Califon, NJ.

Born in Locust Valley, New York, he was the son of the late Francis and Ellen Cooper and was predeceased by his siblings Hilda Weir, Tamar Velsor, Eva Cooper, Francis Cooper and Reginald Cooper

He was a longtime resident of Ridgewood, NJ before moving to Califon two years ago. 

Gordon was a proud veteran of the US Navy, having honorably served his country as a Signalman Second Class on the LST 545 during WWII. He was a graduate of Stetson University where he met his wife, Mary Nell and earned his Masters Degree in Education at Columbia University. For over 30 years he shared his many gifts as a teacher and guidance counselor at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood and then as a guidance, career and ROTC counselor at Ridgewood High School. For many years at BF Middle School he also did the stage lighting for TIC TOC and many other groups' performances

Gordon, a man of deep faith was a long time member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood.  For over twenty years he has attended the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, NJ and the Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.  He was an active man and loved the outdoors, hiking, golf, swimming and horseback riding.  Gordon earned a Brown Belt in Judo and true to his nature, shared his knowledge by teaching and coaching the sport. He was an avid reader and lover of Big Band music.  He and Mary Nell also enjoyed many winters at their condo in Naples, Florida. 

Gordon was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Nell in 2016. He is survived by his son, John Cooper of Hackensack; his daughter, Elizabeth Scannell and her fiancée Albert Rylak of Annandale, his grandson, David Scannell of Frenchtown, NJ, sister-in-law Carolyn Cottrell, brother-in-law Vaughn Walker and niece Susan Cottrell.

There will be a memorial service on November 19, 2022 at 2:00pm at the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of you choice.