Clifford R. Cooper, 88, of Orwell, Vt., and formerly Fair Haven, Vt., passed away at his home on Jan. 15, 2010.
He was born Nov. 3, 1921, the son of the late Charles R. and Laura (Fitzgerald) Cooper of Pawlet, Vt. After working on the family farm he left to purchase and work his own farm in Brandon, Vt. In 1952 he left farming to open a farm machinery business, which was known as Cooper’s Farm Equipment in Fair Haven, and he successfully operated it for 26 years. He retired in 1978 when he moved to his summer home in Whitehall and his winter home in Kissimmee, Fla. He lived permanently in Kissimmee from 1986 until 2003, and then moved back to Orwell to be closer to his family.
He joined the Eureka Masonic Lodge No. 75 of Fair Haven in 1959.
His most notable pleasure in life was to travel and he knew all the major highways of the USA by heart. Clifford toured all 50 states. He loved his new cars, especially his two Cadillacs.
He married Gwendolyn (Parrow) Cooper from Florence Vt., on Dec. 23, 1941.
He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Mildred Long of Manchester, Vt., and Alice Cooper in her childhood.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years; three daughters, Nancy Forrester-Smith of Hemet ,Calif., Phyllis Hall and husband Louis of Orwell, and Marie McKee and husband Steven of Hampton; his brother, Alan Cooper and wife Edna of Pawlet; eight grandchildren and 11 great -grandchildren who live in various places in Vermont, Ohio, California, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
A memorial service was held on Monday Jan. 18, in the Mallory Funeral Home, South Park Street, Fair Haven. Burial will take place in the Mountain View Cemetery in West Pawlet, Vt., at a later date. Calling hours were held Sunday at the funeral home.
Serving as honorary bearers and casket attendants were eight grandchildren, D. Ian Forrester, A Scott Forrester, Leslie Forrester, Eric Forrester, Jennifer Hall-Breen, Harlan Hall, Jonathan Hall, and Justin Hall.
The family suggests memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 338 River St., Montpelier, Vt. 05602 or the Orwell Rescue Squad, c/o Peter Ochs, 37 Needham Hill Road, Orwell, Vt. 05760 or the Addison County Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, Vt. 05753.
The Mallory Funeral Home in Fair Haven is entrusted with the care and arrangements for Clifford R Cooper.
