Gerald “Hank” R. Cooper, 93, passed away on November 24, 2015 at Craneville Place in Dalton, Mass.
Born in Glendale, Mass., on February 9, 1922, he was the son of William and Edith Bechtel Cooper. He was educated in local schools and graduated for the former Williams High School in Stockbridge.
After graduation, Hank served four years in the U.S. Navy where he was a Gunner’s Mate and 2nd Class Petty Officer aboard the ammunition ship USS WRANGELL. He was a veteran of WWII.
Following his service in the Navy he went to work as a wireman at the Ordinance Department at General Electric in Pittsfield, Mass. After 20 years he was promoted to Foreman-Module Assembly, which he did until his retirement.
He was a member and past officer of the Glendale Fire Department and was active with the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the James A. Modolo Post VFW #8348.
Hank leaves his daughters Linda VanJura of Pittsfield, JoAnne Snell of Stockbridge and his son Garry Cooper of Glendale; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was married to Barbara Brusie Cooper for 60 years before she passed away on September 4, 2007. He was also predeceased by his parents, his sisters Charlotte Filkins and Marjorie Wallace and his brothers Frederick, Karl, William and Andrew Cooper.
Funeral services for the late Gerald Cooper will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, conducted by Rev. Charles VanAusdall. Burial will follow at Stockbridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 2 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Donations in his memory may be made to the James A. Modolo VFW Post #8348 in care of FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to his family through www.finnertyandstevens.com
