Earle Cooper

Earle N. Cooper

On October 25, 2011 Earle Newman Cooper, son of Ralph M. and Grace Roye Cooper died at age 96.

Born in Nassau on June 9, 1915 he lived in Nassau almost his entire life. He Graduated from Valatie High school in 1932, Union College in 1936 and Albany Law School in 1947. He was admitted to practice law in 1947 and was a member of the Rensselaer County Bar Association for over 50 years. He practiced law with his father and then his son Stephen E. Cooper in the firm of Cooper & Cooper with offices in Albany and Nassau.

On February 20, 1942 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Reynolds of Albany who predeceased him on November 5, 2010. They resided in Nassau during their 69 years of marriage.

He is survived by his three children: Stephen E. (Nancy), Constance E. and Wendy E., three granddaughters; Cynthia (Scott) Johnson, Leann (Michael) Breer and Catrina Carolan; and four great-grandchildren; Eliza and Will Johnson and Adam and Ryan Breer. He was predeceased by siblings Ralph M. Cooper, Jr. and Jeanne C. Hubbard. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.

Earle entered the service of the United States Army as a private in April 1942 and was discharged in December 1945 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant after serving with the US 3rd Army in England, Normandy through France and with the US 7th Army across Germany to Austria.

He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Nassau since 1927 serving as Sunday School teacher, Superintendent, Trustee and secretary and treasurer of Trustees and Lay Leader. He was lay Member of Troy Annual Conference from Grace Church for over 40 years, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer of Trustees of Troy Annual Conference for 29 years, Chancellor of Troy Annual Conference, and Director and first President for 10 years of the Saratoga Retirement Center which built Embury Apartments and Wesley Nursing Home.

Earle was elected delegate from Troy Conference to 5 Jurisdictional Conferences and three General Conferences of the United Methodist Church and he was a member of the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church for 8 years.

He was a 60 year member and past Master of Gratitude Lodge # 674 F & AM now merged with Van Rensselaer Lodge # 87 in East Greenbush and served as DDGM of the Albany District. He was also a member and director of the Nassau Lion's Club and a charter member of Chandler-Young VFW Post # 8162.

Earle was a Tax Collector, Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of the Town of Nassau. He was the first Rensselaer County Supervisor to be appointed a member of the Rensselaer County Mental Health Board, past president of the Association of Towns of the State of New York and chaired the Judiciary, County Treasurer and Budget committees of the Rensselaer County Board of Supervisors.

Earle and his family have had a summer home on Spring Lake, town of Berlin since 1954 and he enjoyed his summers there. Through Earle's efforts the lake & 300 acres of surrounding woodlands were purchased in 1972 and the SLAKE Corporation was formed for the perpetual protection of the property.

He loved to play bridge and was a member of men's and mixed bridge clubs, most recently with members from South Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs.

He loved to travel; Earle and Betty drove to every state and state capital and all Canadian provinces including Yellowknife, Northwest Territory.

His fondest times were spent playing Michigan with his loving family and bridge with his friends.

Earle's family is extremely grateful for the care and attention he received from Michael A. Lettrick, MD and his staff, the Evergreen Commons staff, the St. Peter's staff, and the Hospice Inn staff and his wonderful Elm Street neighbors and Spring Lake friends.

Funeral at the Grace United Methodist Church Nassau Saturday October 29, 2pm. There will be a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral home 11 Elm St. Nassau Friday October 28, 4-7pm. A Masonic service will follow at 7pm.

Interment will be private at the family's convenience.

In lieu of flowers donations if desired may be made to the Abiding Memorial fund, Grace United Methodist Church, PO Box 456 Nassau, NY 12123.