CHARLES J. COOPER

Charles J. Cooper, 84, of Schenectady, formerly of Elmlawn Ave., Rotterdam, died Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Ellis Hospital. Charles was born in Manhattan, NY, the son of the late George and Lucille Gosselin Cooper. After high school, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1944 to 1951. Following his discharge, Charlie moved to Schenectady and began working for General Electric. He was a graduate of the GE Apprentice Program and was a registered New York state professional engineer. Charlie worked as a plant engineer and manager for 40 years before he retired in 1986. He was a member of the Elfun Society, was past president of the Rotterdam Dist. #2 Fire Department and was also a member of the Rotterdam Elks. Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Florence Whaley Cooper; two children, Karen Reach of Florida and Wayne (Louise) Cooper of Troy; and four grandchildren, Christopher (Mehna) Reach, Kevin Reach, Nicholas Cooper and Pamela Cooper. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue. Funeral services will be private. Burial, with military honors, will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight, Inc., Att: Diane Greese, 300 East Auburn Ave., Springfield, Ohio, 45505 or online@ honorflight.org.