George A. “Jack” Cooper
George A. “Jack” Cooper, 91, of Media, PA, beloved husband of Adeline “Addie” Cooper and devoted father of five, passed away peacefully on Tuesday night, April 24th, 2018, with his wife and children by his side.
Born in New York City, Jack was the younger of two boys born to Emily and Gordon Cooper. He and his brother Bob were very close. The family moved to Wood Acres, Bethesda, MD, near the Potomac River, when Jack was a boy, returning to New York City to spend summers with relatives.
Jack joined the Navy in 1942 and was stationed on the home front until the end of World War II. Following his time in the Navy, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in Troy, NY to study engineering. An accomplished swimmer, Jack broke freestyle records while at RPI. His time at RPI was one of the highlights of his life and he told wonderful stories of the fun he had while there.
After earning his Professional Engineering degree, Jack spent his career working for the small electrical engineering firm Robert C. Burns Associates in Philadelphia. He and his colleagues provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for airports and local institutions including in-pavement airfield lighting and airfield lighting systems for jet aircraft at the Philadelphia International Airport. He loved his job; and at work and at home, there wasn’t any problem Jack couldn’t solve, or anything that Jack couldn’t fix.
Jack and Addie were married in 1954. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Media, PA where they lived for more than 60 years. They had five children: Linda Henry (Carl Dalio), Steven Cooper, Ellen Cooper (John Dorchester), Carol Cooper, and Don Cooper (Cameron Suzanne). Together they enjoyed an active life full of work, art, travel, camping, sailing, fun, and great friendships with lifelong friends. Nearing retirement, Jack and Addie embarked on creating and running a successful restaurant, The Breakfast Garden, in Sea Isle City, NJ.
Jack was a kind and loving man and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Addie, his five children, and seven grandchildren – Carolyn Henry, Marc Henry, Shanna Henry, Michelle Matlock (Wes Matlock), John “Jack” Irwin (Ally Boni), Emma Cooper Landry, and Madeline Cooper Landry. Memorial services are being privately conducted by J. Nelson Rigby Funeral Home in Media, PA; however the family welcomes correspondence. Cards and remembrances of Jack can be sent to Adeline Cooper, c/o The Hearth at Drexel, 238 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.