Tribute Wall
Friday
27
October
Calling Hours
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, October 27, 2023
Mulryan Funeral Home
725 Hebron Ave.
Glastonbury, Connecticut, United States
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JM posted a condolence
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Mr. Cooper was a wonderful teacher but also a wonderful person. Me and my best friend were always late to his class; he never got mad at us and he always encouraged us to speak our minds — even in nerdy ways like the Citizen’s Senior Perspectives column. Highschool was a challenging time for me (probably everyone) and his genuine kindness touched the entire school community across generations.
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Amy & John Korber posted a condolence
Monday, October 30, 2023
It was our Junior year at GHS, and we each walked into Mr. Cooper's AP US History class not knowing what to expect and also not expecting Mr. Cooper to have such a profound impact on our lives. Yes, we learned history (one of us can still rattle off the thesis question that Mr. Cooper helped with....to what extent was the Tet Offensive of 1968 a defeat for the United States), but we also learned what it was like to push ourselves to be the best students we could be. We learned how to listen to and respect our classmates' opinions and their interpretations of history. There was always the lectern in the front of the classroom, but it didn't create a divide between teacher and student. Rather, Mr. Cooper showed care and compassion for who we were as teenagers and who we would become as adults. By far, Mr. Cooper best prepared us for the academic lives ahead of us and found creative ways to punctuate his life lessons, even including burning one of our term papers.
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Geoffrey St. Marie posted a condolence
Monday, October 30, 2023
My condolences to the entire Cooper family. Mr. Cooper was an incredible teacher and mentor, and I'll always be grateful for the joy and excitement he brought to learning. He's had a tremendous impact on my life.
Most sincerely,
Geoff St. Marie
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Bob & Kathy Johnson posted a condolence
Sunday, October 29, 2023
We were saddened to learn of the passing of John. We knew John through Cherie since our senior year at UConn. He had just graduated and was preparing for his enlistment in the U.S. Army. The four of us became good friends and we enjoyed many great times and have wonderful memories of our times together for several years. It was a special honor to have Cherie and John as members of our wedding party and to be part of their wedding as well.
John lived a full and rich life as a dedicated teacher at Glastonbury High School for more than 40 years . Remembrances from his former students are indicative of the respect he earned from his students and colleagues. John's family will always treasure the importance that education was in John's life.
John was a proud dad and grandfather and thoroughly enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's many school and sports activities and recognizing their accomplishments as they grew up.
We could not be with you to greet you and pay our respects in person, since we now live in Florida. However, you can be assured we were present in spirit as you received John's friends and family and shared your wonderful memories of his life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Cherie, Sarah, Adam, Seth and their families at this time of great loss.
Bob & Kathy Johnson
Nokomis, Florida
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Amy DeCarolis Casellini posted a condolence
Friday, October 27, 2023
Mr. Cooper was my favorite teacher! He was just so funny and it made his students interested in anything he was talking about. I actually took more than one of his classes because I liked him so much. I remember saying goodbye to him on graduation day and I teared up. I am so sad to hear of his passing. Rest in peace Mr. Cooper.
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Suzanne Tice posted a condolence
Friday, October 27, 2023
To the family I offer My deepest condolences. I was very sad today to learn of John’s passing. We were classmates at Arlington high school class of 64 and I have many fond memories of John. He was one of our best buddies. He will be sorely missed By all of his friends from the class of 64
Warm regards,
Suzy Tice
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Diane Perri Vazquez posted a condolence
Friday, October 27, 2023
To the Cooper family.
My sincere condolences. Mr. Cooper was a fantastic teacher to everyone. He was kind, funny and had a passion for teaching. RIP.
Diane Perri Vazquez
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Tess Karnes lit a candle
Thursday, October 26, 2023
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Mr. Cooper was one of those teachers who could connect with just about any student, and make them feel valued and smart. I looked forward to every APUSH class with him, not only for the subject matter, but for the way he taught and cared for his students. I learned far more than American history that year. RIP to a wonderful man and teacher. My condolences to his loved ones.
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Sam Sirica posted a condolence
Thursday, October 26, 2023
I’ve taught in the Glastonbury social studies department for 23 years. Being at Gideon Welles, not spending every day seeing Cooper, one of the many joys to kicking off the year was seeing and talking to John after convocation in our first department meeting. He always had wisdom to share, a story to tell, or showed great interest in my life and how I was doing. I was so sad and happy for him when he retired. Cooper is a unique person. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
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Gary Ducharme posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
49 years ago I was a student at GHS. I had Mr. Cooper for Economics in 11th grade. Of all the teachers I had in 12 years of public education there are only a handful that I fondly remember and who had such an impact on what they taught me. Mr. Cooper is one of those teachers. To this day I still understand the principles of economics and how they work within our lives and world economies. It wasn't just what Mr. Cooper taught. It was how he taught it. That is why I have not forgotten what he taught. Unlike some classes, I never dreaded going to Economics class. I looked forward to it. I still remember the first class where he explained to us what, "widgets" were. After my school years I was an Army Reservist for 12 years. I was not aware that Mr. Cooper was in the reserve. Having read his obituary I am honored to have been in the 76th Division during some of the years that CSM Cooper was.
Most all my school work I threw out at the end of each school year. Rarely did I have any reason to keep it. Still there were some papers or quizzes or tests that I did keep. Five of which were from Mr. Cooper's Economics class in 74-75. Here I am looking at how I was scored and the comments that Mr. Cooper made on tests and essays. It's been over forty years since I last looked at these. Only a student that had been so well taught and had so much respect for a teacher would bother keeping school work for so long. No matter how many more years go by, what you taught will not be forgotten. Mr. Cooper you will not be forgotten by thousands of students and thousands of military personal. Thank you for your many years of teaching and your many years of service to your country. Rest in peace.
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Allison (Smith) Foster posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Mr. Cooper is why I do what I do today. He took a “little” freshman in a class of seniors and sparked a passion for Economics. He was also one of the most honest and candid teachers that told it to you straight and made you want to hold yourself accountable. Sending my deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.
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Veronika posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Mr. Cooper was one of the most kind hearted teachers I met while entering into freshman year of high school. Had him during study hall. He was a very very very good man. Will be missed.
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Brigadier General DiCorleto, US Army Retired posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
I had the privilege of serving with CSM Cooper in three different assignments while assigned to the 76th Division and was honored by his assignment as my Brigade Command Sergeant Major. We spent untold hours commuting to Rhode Island, visiting subordinate units throughout New England and traveling to units during their annual training rotations. Command Sergeant Major Cooper was a mentor, to both enlisted and officers alike, commanded the respect of all with whom he came into contact and served as the model against which I compared all other noncommissioned officers. His leadership will be sorely missed.
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John Kelehet posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
God speed SGM, A Gentleman, a leader, and fine soldier RIP Coop!
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Emily McGuigan uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
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Oh how we LOVED causing trouble in Mr. Cooper’s class. Mr. Cooper was by far one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and was one of the only teachers I’ve had to be genuinely dedicated to making me a better student. He was strong enough to stay after school with me for hours, delving into way more detail than was ever necessary for high school US history. But I loved talking to him, gaining his perspective, and loved his energy completely. He has made such a lasting impact and will be remembered forever! (Picture was taken after we nominated him for an essence award)
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COL John Hardink uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
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I’ve known John since we were students together at UCONN. Our paths separated for our respective Army active duty tours in 1968. They rejoined later as we both served in the 76th Division together. John was my battalion Command Sergeant Major in the early 1990’s. Over his military career, John consistently demonstrated what an outstanding soldier and leader he was. My condolences to his family on their loss. RIP CSM Cooper.
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Kim Winter posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. Cooper's APUSH class was my favorite class in high school. I am regularly grateful to have been one of his students; I can draw a direct line between his class and my success in college and law school. He was a fantastic teacher that prepared his students well and made history engaging and fun. My condolences to his family.
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Kalliope Sanderson lit a candle
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
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An incredible, unforgettable teacher and person. Looking back, he taught me not only AP US History but the importance of bringing authenticity, personality, and sense of humor into your work. Rest in peace Mr. Cooper.
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Teresa Hart posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
So sorry for your loss! He was my favorite Social Studies teacher of all time. He made learning fun!
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Patrick Dugan posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Mr. Cooper was no question one of the all-time best teachers at GHS, and I'm sure many, many people will be saying this over the next days. He made every class entertaining and interesting, and made countless people more intelligent about the world as a result. Condolences to his family.
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Candace Young posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The best teacher I ever had and such an advocate for his students.
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Chris Gorecki posted a condolence
Monday, October 23, 2023
Our sincere condolences to the entire Cooper family. Much love, The Gorecki’s.
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Sarah De Leon uploaded photo(s)
Monday, October 23, 2023
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Stephanie Mulazzi Ruiz Posted Oct 24, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Sarah, Your father was truly amazing. He consistently inspired all of us to be curious, work hard and be kind. He made an indelible mark on so many of us at GHS. We are all grateful for our paths to have been influenced by his intellect and spirit.
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Muffy Paquette posted a condolence
Monday, October 23, 2023
Johnny was the cousin closest to me in age and I will always think of him as the brother I never had. At Hepburn family gatherings, he always had me giggling up a storm, sometimes when I wasn’t supposed to! He could parody our uncles to a T. I’ m sure he touched so many through his love of history. He’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
Muffy Hepburn Paquette
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Mike Doughty posted a condolence
Monday, October 23, 2023
Not only my history teacher but also my drivers ed teacher. During logging hours behind the wheel we basically ran various errands. My first drive thru experience behind the wheel was when your dad was hungry and wanted some Burger King. He was the best !
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Sarah De Leon Posted Oct 23, 2023 at 9:03 PM
That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing this story. I appreciate the laugh during this sad time.
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Sarah De Leon uploaded photo(s)
Monday, October 23, 2023
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The family of John William Cooper uploaded a photo
Monday, October 23, 2023
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Who We Are:
Mulryan Funeral Home is family owned and operated and has been serving Glastonbury and surrounding communities for many years.
Our Location:
725 Hebron Ave.
Glastonbury, CT
Phone: 860-652-4436