Harry Cooper

Harry Cooper, 72, of Hampton, died on Sunday, December 23, 2012. He was born in Yugoslavia on August 10, 1940, moved to Germany during World War II as a young child, and came to the United States at the age of fifteen. Upon high school graduation he served in the United States Air Force and worked his way through college, receiving a degree in Biology from Central Connecticut State University. After first embarking on a teaching career, he was then employed by the State of Connecticut where he enjoyed a long and fulfilling career within the Department of Environmental Protection from which he retired in 1996. Harry is survived by his beloved wife Betty with whom he had been married for 49 years, sister Erika Wojnarowicz of Burlington, brother Rudolph Klauser of Germany, daughters Debra Majeske and her husband Christopher of Milton, Carrie Patruno and her husband Eric of Willington, and Jennifer English and her husband Robert of East Hampton, his grandchildren Riley, Joelle, Jacob, Lauren, Mihretu, and Cody, as well as nieces and nephews. Harry will be lovingly remembered by his family as a devoted husband, loving dad, and a grandpa who adored his grandchildren. He enjoyed his retirement years to the fullest and spent his days doing the things he loved most, being with family, playing his guitar, listening to music, reading, going on long hikes, kayaking, and working in the garden. He also had been a dedicated runner and tennis player for most of his life. Harry will be dearly missed by his family. They will have a private graveside service in his memory in Litchfield Cemetery, Hampton. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to benefit Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, checks payable to Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA),16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481, please write Friends of Goodwin in the memo line. Donations are also suggested to The Fletcher Memorial Library c/o Linda Gorman, Library Director, PO Box 6, Hampton, CT 06247 . Harry gave the gift of life through tissue donation. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .