William Jonathan "John" Cooper

Franklin William Jonathan "John" Cooper William "John" Cooper, 87, a longtime resident of Franklin died Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the Genesis Center in Franklin surrounded by his loving family. His family is very grateful for the care and kindnesses given to John and his family during his stay there. John was born in Ireland's Eye, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, December 16, 1926, son of William and Mary (Miller) Cooper. John was one of seven children. He came to the United States in 1947 at the age of 21. He worked as a painter in the Boston area with his cousin who helped with his travel to the United States. He was drafted into the U. S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany and reaching the rank of Corporal. After serving in the Army John became an American Citizen. Following his move to New Hampshire in 1953 he was employed as a spinner at the J. P. Stevens Woolen Mill in Northfield until it closure. For many years he worked in maintenance and did contract work and painting with his brother in law, David Huckins, building houses and working in apartment buildings until he retired in 1989. An accomplished carpenter and fixer upper.....John enjoyed woodworking, especially craft projects he did with his daughter, making picture frames of all sizes and making grandfather clocks. When his granddaughters were born he made each a grandfather clock and was able to give them to them when they each moved into their own homes recently. He also made other types of clocks for many nieces and nephews. John was a longtime active member of the former St. Jude Episcopal Church in Franklin, always ready to volunteer with church projects and fund raising events, and of course caring for church repairs. During chicken barbecues he was often seen flipping the chicken racks. John was a local volunteer and often assisted with Habitant for Humanity projects, active at the TRIP Center (Community Action Senior Center) in Franklin and The Pines Community Center in Northfield. John was known as the "custodian" of the Daniel Park near his home, raising the flag during his A.M. walk and taking it down at sunset during his evening walk. He mowed the property there and was acknowledged with an honor by the City of Franklin for his numerous volunteer projects at the Park. Whether you knew him as William, Bill, Johnny, John, Jackie, Jack, Cooper or Coop, you knew him as a strong, proud, hardworking man, strong in his beliefs. Proud of the life he created for his family and especially proud of his two granddaughters, Amy and Robyn. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by siblings, Sylvia, James Gertrude, Gerald, Myrtle and Joanna, all of Newfoundland. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Huckins)Cooper of Franklin His daughter, Shirley Curdie and husband David of Northfield Granddaughters: Amy Shafrir and husband, Daniel of Jamaica Plain, MA Robyn Curdie of Boston,, MA John was looking forward to the birth of his great-granddaughter in November. Nieces and Nephews in both the U.S. and Canada Calling hours will be held Sunday, September 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 P. M. at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (584 West Main St.) in Tilton. Private interment with honors will be held for his family at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in John's name to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 30 Pillsbury St., Concord, NH 03301.