It is with sadness that we share with you news of the passing of R. John Cooper on Thursday, June 12, 2014. A liturgy of thanksgiving and holy remembrance will be offered on Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at his home parish of Christ Church, 66 Highland Avenue, Short Hills.
John served the diocese as a member of the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Diocesan Properties, to which he was elected in 2011.
His rector, the Rev. Tim Mulder, writes:
Many people would be content being the head lawyer for some of the largest companies in the world. But when John Cooper retired from the practice of law, he went back to school at the age of 65 to earn his Ph.D. in English. His dissertation was not only on one of the most difficult authors in the English language, James Joyce, it also applied the influence of St. Paul and his theology on Joyce. Amherst, Harvard, Drew: no one doubted John was an intellect with few peers.
But what makes his story even more interesting was what a romantic he was. He loved to sail, to ski, to ride, to play tennis. He loved a glass of single malt or chardonnay with friends. He always said poetry was better read in a group than alone. So it was with others that he gathered every Saturday morning at his parish, Christ Church in Short Hills, to talk about literature, life and faith. He led the group with his quick wit and deep insight.
John loved his church, not just the institution, but also the people, especially the people. When the church was going through one of its really tough times he would show up, herd the staff into a room and one by one ask how each how was she or he doing, really? The list of his service in the parish and to our diocese would is almost beyond belief. The church was his other family, his other home. John was one of those rare people who respected the past but cared more about the future. He believed that each day was eternal life, that God was experienced in one another, that pouring life out for others was both fun, pain and joy. His ego was huge, but he always loved being part of the team and set others up to win.
Irenaeus once said, "The glory of God is a person fully alive." That was John. That is John. In Christ, he is fully alive.
Condolences may be sent to John's wife, Mrs. Unni Cooper, care of Christ Church, 66 Highland Avenue, Short Hills, NJ 07078-2829.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Christ Church Music Fund for the restoration of the church's organ, a project that was important to John.
John Cooper (standing, far right) with the Bishop and members of the Trustees, September 2013.
NINA NICHOLSON PHOTO
God, our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for John, the years we shared with him, the good we saw in him, the love we received from him. Now give us strength and courage, to leave him in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
