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BORN
1938
DIED
2016
Christopher Cooley Obituary
Christopher Cooley, born February 23, 1938, died unexpectedly at home in New York City in early March. Born in Hartford CT, he was the son of Paul W.Cooley and Jane Crary Allen. He was a graduate of St Paul's School '56, Yale University '60, and the Columbia University Business School. He is survived by his sisters Sarah Martin and her husband Bob, of Essex CT. Clare Edwards and her husband Jared, of West Hartford, CT and his brother Jeffrey Cooley and his wife Betsey, of Old Lyme, CT. He is also survived by his nephews Whitman Seymour (Lisa), David Seymour (Anna), Christopher Seymour, and Jonathan Edwards (Allison) and 10 great nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Mary Crary of Farmington, CT. His wife, Mary Mendenhall Cooley predeceased him. After graduating from business school he took a different path and had a life filled with sustaining friendships and intellectual discovery. Chris and Mary took up partial residence in Venice in the early 1970's and immersed themselves in the history and culture of the city, in a stimulating and congenial society, and in the ebb and flow of daily life. Their garden and hospitality became magnets for friends from near and far. A tour of the city or a visit to any museum with Chris was to experience it through the eyes of an impassioned guide and true scholar. Chris collected beautiful things and people who interested him. His appreciation for and understanding of art, history, and music, coupled with his enviable memory and love of a good story or joke, made him a companion much in demand by his many devoted friends. As an inquiring traveller, Chris especially valued his trips and excursions with friends and family, and particularly, in later years, with the Fortress Study Group to sites throughout Great Britain and Europe. He was a member of the Grolier Club and the Yale Club of New York. Donations may be made in his memory to Save Venice Inc. 133 E. 58th St. New York N.Y. 10022
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Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Cooley
Sponsored by anonymous.
Georges Bureau
April 8, 2020
Passing in front of Saint-Vidal church in Campo San Stefano yesterday reminded me of Chris who showed me its Carpaccio.
Pierre Bureau
June 30, 2018
I am reminded of Chris each time I walk in front of his now empty house in front of San Trovaso. We are missing his company in Venice.
Apples Nicolle
June 29, 2018
What synchronicity to receive this guest book after 2 years ; I thought NYTimes closed it.
Just a week ago I had another vivid dream of Christopher .., he was radiant & young again; bathed in golden white light behind him; we had a funny talk.
We made a pact: So I always reminded him for years to keep his promise, to contact me once he left for Heaven folks, I tell you, he kept his word.
Heaven IS this material earth realm is dull + insensitive compared to glories of afterlife.
Bob Birnbaum
June 28, 2018
They had Chris in mind when they coined the term "old school". He seemed to have stepped right out of a Fitzgerald novel. Being with him was to go back in time to a gentler age than our own. We went to the opera together at least six times, thrice with Mary. Only learned of his death very recently. Still have a CD he sent me more than 20 years ago of the Caballé/Carreras "Maria Stuarda". I will miss his erudition and stimulating company.
Rest in peace, Chris. You enriched my life and I will not forget you.
Cristina Fontanella
October 25, 2017
I just heard about Christopher's passing, I was left breathless! I have great memories of he and his wife Mary, the first time we met over 25 years ago in Venezia, spending wonderful evening on the lawn of their beautiful home in the area of my birth San Trovaso, we remained friends with many of my visits when they coincided with his Venice trips, he and Mary were inseparable, he would always take her to restaurants that were attainable via vaporetto, in order to facilitate Mary's wheelchair, The Do Mori, in the Giudecca, was one of their favorites. He was such elegant as well as eloquent, and a good friend. I ran into him on the same vaporetto bound for la Giudecca, he was meeting up with some friends, I told him that he looked very well and he seemed content. We called him Il Professore, we were forever connected to our Venezia, I knew nothing about his life in New York other than what he and Mary had told me. He was a treasure as a friend, I never thought that that moment on the vaporetto
Was going to be the last time I would see him! My deepest condolences to his family and copious amount of friends, Rest In Peace!
Pierre Bureau
May 1, 2016
It has been a shock to learn Christopher's disparition. He was one of the first persons I met in Venice in July 1996, in front of Santa Maria del Giglio's church which story he explained me. We became instant friends. Many diners at his place in front of San Trovaso and elsewhere. He was such an erudite, with a deep memory. I was happy of his kidney graft. I saw him last summer in the lagoon and discovered he was missing at the start of April while searching for his contact in New York.
Chris, I will miss your company in Venice.
All my condolences to the family.
Pierre Bureau, Venice, Italy.
Apples Nicolle
April 24, 2016
It happened again! Sunday, today, the day after Christopher's funeral at St. Bart's church; imagine the prayers + thoughts of him we collectively had: he received them! I got a call from my blind friend Billy, he tells me with urgency in his voice, that he was in church this morning, praying in the sacristy quietly after lighting a candle for Christopher... he "heard" his voice AGAIN!
Billy kept describing that deep, monotone voice of Christopher.
Thank you Jesus*
Bob Storrs
April 19, 2016
Seventy-Six years is how long Chris and I have known each other. During that time we shared a lifetime of memories, adventures, and laughs. And although he is no longer here, I will have the rest of my life to remember my closest friend and the memories we shared.
Apples Nicolle
April 19, 2016
I remember dragging him to church last year + we lit a candle - later we walked out singing our favorite hymn: The Battle Hymn of the Republic - I can hear him singing it now in his wonderful voice from heaven.
Apples nicolle
April 15, 2016
Christopher told me several times over the 11 years we knew each other, he would contact me from heaven once he's gone... days before this nightmare, he looked me in the eye + said I love you, forgive me for ever letting you down - I said the same to him. Thank God we had closure - thank God we made our peace. He was a complicated soul - I remember just weeks before his death, I scolded him for buying 25 bottles of wine - he replied "what difference would it make when I'm dead?" I remember last February on the phone he sounded depressed telling me there was "someone in his home he had to deal with." I worried for him then -
I'm not worried for him Now - I know he's in a better place - I believe in Heaven. To be quite honest here, a semi-blind friend of mine who spoke with Christopher a few times, actually "Heard" his voice while he was in church on Easter Sunday -- he heard him say that he was 'resting comfortably where he is' + a personal message to give to me. My friend has the gift of Clairaudience - he's even heard his parents voice in the past. These things happen. And remember, he made a promise to contact me long ago. Thank you Honeybear! That's what I always called him.
Charles Blackwood
April 15, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family. Chris was a much loved friend and colleague of 26 years association with the Fortress Study Group. We will all greatly miss his cheerful and erudite company.
April 14, 2016
We shared many Fortress Study Group (FSG) tours, wine and conversations with Chris over the years. He will be sorely missed. His wit and insightful comments will be remembered.
Mike & Pam Fiorini, Seattle, WA
Paula Devlin Cooley
April 14, 2016
My deepest condolences to the whole family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda & Ralph Zagaria
April 14, 2016
Please accept our sincere condolences. We knew Christopher through The Beaux Arts Alliance, where he was an enthusiastic supporter and friend. We will miss him.
S B
April 14, 2016
I am so sorry for the family's loss. May you find comfort through prayer during this difficult time. 1Thessalonians 5:17
Valerie L.
April 14, 2016
My condolence to the family. May your memories comfort you until God fulfill his promise to bring Christopher back to life with the prospect of never experiencing death again.
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