William Albert Cooper, Jr.

Woodbridge, CT: At age 99, William Albert Cooper passed away with his family by his side.

A loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife, Katharine "Kitty" Corti, his sister Marianne Ruth Cooper Magner and his children Kathleen (Paul) Bard of Winslow, ME; William (Cynthia) Cooper of Nokomis, FL; Michael (Pam) Cooper of Naperville, IL; and Corti (Carlos Esteves) Cooper of Stratford, CT.

He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Melissa Brenner, Rachel Dunbar, Patrick (Carissa) Bard, Gregory (Jennifer) Cooper, Timothy (Katelyn) Cooper, Zachary and Emily Cooper, and William and Micah Esteves Cooper. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren: Macey, Miles and Reid Brenner; Lauren, Jacklyn and Natalie Dunbar; Ellis and Stella Bard; Mason, Bryce, Mylie and Skylar Cooper; and Avery and Sadie Cooper. He is predeceased by his first wife of 26 years, Patricia Marino Cooper.

A member of the Greatest Generation, Bill epitomized what it means to live the American dream with a humble and joyful willingness to serve, learn and experience the best of life.

Born on March 7, 1924 in Caribou, Maine to Gretchen Maud Cox and William Albert Cooper, after graduating from Caribou High School and in anticipation of the draft, Bill joined the U.S. Navy. He quickly became an officer and, as a radioman on the USS Philadelphia, was stationed in Salerno, Italy and Southern France during World War II. In his down time, he created newsletters for his fellow servicemembers, gathering news through SOS to share updates from home on sports, the weather and more.

Upon his return home, Bill earned a degree in accounting from Bentley University and met and married his first wife Patricia. He was deployed to Newport, Rhode Island during the Korean War, training new servicemembers for the Navy.

Discharged to raise his young family, he and Pat moved to Waterville, Maine. There, Bill became Vice President for Hathaway Shirt Company, creatively leading the accounting and marketing departments over a stellar 30-year career while he and Pat raised their children Kathy, Billy and Mike. Bill remained by Pat's side as she fought a courageous battle with cancer, passing away in 1976 .

At age 55, Bill launched a second chapter of his life, marrying Kit and welcoming daughter Corti. The family then moved to Sedona, Arizona where Bill opened outlet stores across the west for Hathaway Shirt Company, as well as purchasing a Jeep and becoming a tour driver.

Upon "retirement" from Hathaway Bill began yet another career chapter as the family moved to Naples, New York and he established his own accounting and tax business. There, he and Kitty renovated The Naples Barn to become a family home next to newly constructed Reservoir Creek Golf Club. A founding member of Reservoir Creek, Bill's many happy hours on the course are reflected in an annual tournament called "The Coop."

Bill found fellowship and meaning in volunteering for many organizations including TOSCA, Lions Club, Jaycees, the Rotary Club and the Naples Historical Society. Community was central to his life, and his generosity, engagement and love of conversation endeared him to everyone he met.

Bill could always be found enjoying a few holes of golf with sons or friends; enjoying a cup of coffee at the neighborhood diner; working on home projects; dancing with Kitty to whatever music was playing; and spending time with friends and family. He will be remembered for how his laugh could change the energy of an entire room.

A prayer service and visiting hours will be held at Charter Senior Living in Woodbridge, CT from 6-8pm on March 7th, Bill's 100th birthday. There will be a celebration of life at a later date in Naples, NY.

We lovingly imagine "Coop" teeing off on heavenly fairways. In remembrance of him, memorial contributions to support education for all may be made to the Naples NY Rotary Club, PO Box 173, Naples NY 14512; or the Friends of Naples Library, PO Box 157, Naples NY 14512.