John Philip Cooper, age 90, of Maynard, formerly a long-time resident of Concord, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 8, 2024, following a brief illness. He was the loving companion of 35 years to Judi Dillman of Maynard and the beloved husband of the late Marjorie (Sampson) Cooper, who died in 1981.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 17, 1933, John was the son of the late Reverend William Henry Cooper and Elsa Peterson Cooper. He moved to Minneapolis in 1947, where he graduated from high school in 1951. After high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. In 1955, John enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Babenhausen, Germany, for three years. He and Marjorie married in August 1956. He proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1958 and remained in the Army reserves. Upon returning to the US, he attended Harvard University to pursue a master’s degree in music.
John worked for many years in the banking industry and later enjoyed many years doing courier work, where he touched a tremendous number of people’s lives with his warmth and generosity of spirit. Family was the center of his life; he cherished family gatherings and occasions, and he especially enjoyed his five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. In his younger days, raising four boys, he enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, archery, hunting, tennis, and camping. He almost never turned down ‘having a catch’ with one of his boys. He loved New England villages and once said of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, “It’s Heaven on Earth.” He was a classically trained pianist – music was his true passion. In fact, he officially became a published composer in 2018 when a piece he wrote for Marjorie in 1953 was digitized, performed, and then recorded professionally. He dabbled in woodworking and wood finishes as a hobby.
He is survived by his devoted partner Judi Dillman of Maynard, his four sons, John S. Cooper and wife Debra Cooper of The Woodlands, TX, Charles W. Cooper of Melrose, MA, William F. Cooper and wife Meg Travis of Ipswich, MA, and Derek B. Cooper and wife Joanna Cooper of Ipswich, MA and daughter-in-law Mary Jo Cooper. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emily Tonner and husband Kevin, Lauren Mitriani and husband Morry, Melissa Cooper, Charles R. Cooper and wife Clara, Abigail E. Cooper, two step-grandchildren, Ethan and Olivia Driscoll, and great-granddaughter Alexa Tonner.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember John for visiting hours on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 am at the West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA. Burial will follow with U.S. Army Military Honors at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord.
Concord’s town flag will fly at half-staff on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in honor of John Cooper and his service to our country.
Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, Concord Funeral Home, Concord, MA. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.concordfuneral.com
