Mark P. Cooper

Mark P. Cooper

POUGHKEEPSIE - Radio Personality-Family Man- Great Friend

Mark Peter Cooper was born May 22, 1964 in London, England as the eldest child of Thomas and Maureen Cooper. The family immigrated to the United States residing in the Brighton suburb of Rochester, NY in 1967. He graduated from McQuaid High School and LeMoyne College, but formal academics were not much his style, although he enjoyed being informed and well read. Mark held many part-time jobs in his early adult years, which spurred lifelong friendships and a genuine connection with good, hard working people including famous stints at the Mr. Steak Restaurant in Brighton, NY, the Spring House Restaurant in Pittsford, NY, and the East Avenue Inn in downtown Rochester, NY. Mark was a successful stand-up comedian and a founding member of the Spilt Milk performance comedy group appearing on Comedy Central and the Comedy Channel as well as clubs and colleges throughout New England and along the East Coast. It was in these formative years of performing on stage that Mark found a creative way to make a living at being himself - loud, lovable, and funny. Mark began his career in radio as an on-air personality as morning show host for WPXY-FM and WRQI-FM in Rochester, NY before making his way to Poughkeepsie and starting a long affiliation with 101.5 WPDH-FM and a deep personal commitment to the surrounding community. In addition to his radio career, Mark also appeared on television regularly including starring roles on "Talk With The Bills" seen by Buffalo Bills fans on many Western New York TV stations, as "Sharkey" on the children's television show "The Adventures of Gary The Happy Pirate" on WUHF-TV 31 in Rochester, NY, and more recently with several appearances joining the Teutul family on Discovery Channel's "American Chopper." Always proud of his English roots, but not necessarily their performance on the pitch over the last ten or so World Cups, Mark was a true American spirit and fervent believer in the rights of the individual and the responsibilities we all share in being kind to each other and helping out when we can. Mark was, and remains from above, a diehard Buffalo Bills fan believing that "this will be the year" for the team. He married Nona Dennis Duncan (a local Poughkeepsie hottie) on November 29, 2002 and quickly assumed a new role as friend and parent to her two children for whom he loved and cared for dearly. In 2003, Mark and Nona celebrated their family's newest addition with the birth of Thomas Jebediah Cooper on August 4th. Mark's connection to the Hudson Valley ran the gamut from bikers and firemen to charities and local championship teams. He was the same person on the street as he was on the air - affable, friendly, and always ready to share a laugh with a new friend. When his health began to deteriorate, his commitment to helping others in need never wavered and he insisted on continuing to participate in the annual Roof-A-Thon and Camp Out For Kids to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Mark passed away from complications of a stroke on August 14, 2013 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY. He died at 9:45am - his usual sign off time every morning at WPDH - with a fever of 101.5. He leaves behind his wife Nona and son Thomas, stepchildren Jeffrey and Emily Duncan of Poughkeepsie, NY, his mother Maureen Cooper of The Villages, FL, and sister, Liz Burnard of Fairport, NY. Service arrangements are pending, but a celebration of life for friends and fans is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a college fund established for his son, Thomas. Please make checks payable to "Fidelity Investments FBO Thomas J Cooper" and send care of the Wm. G. Miller and Son Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12603. If you wish to light a candle or send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com