This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Matthew Patrick “Coop” Cooper, 51, of Ivoryton was received by God on June 4. Matt was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Madison, a childhood he treasured and spoke about with pride. Matt played football and baseball for the Hand Tigers, leading both teams as co-captain. Coop was a dedicated member of the Marching Band, proudly playing the tuba. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Drama Club, with his pinnacle playing Danny Zuko in a production of Grease.

Coop attended Hofstra University New College program, an education he deeply respected. A professor strike at the start of his freshman year gave him all the opportunity he needed to go to every Grateful Dead concert at the Nassau Coliseum. While at Hofstra, Matt gathered a merry band of faithful friends whom he truly loved and admired. During his junior year, he met the love of his life, Janet; they have been together ever since. Married in June 1997, together they had three beautiful children, Padraic, Annie, and Matthew. As a dad, he was the absolute best, always up for a road trip to a baseball park, an Adam Sandler movie, or cooking dinner without vegetables. He loved watching his kids play sports and hardly ever missed a game, needing the play-by-play texted to him if he did.

Matthew was predeceased by his dad, Big Bob Cooper, and his mom, Dottie. He is survived by his sister Mary Catherine (Clinton), niece Riley, and nephew Cooper. Family meant the world to Matthew, and there was never a day that passed where he did not want his family to know how much he loved and adored them.

As director of the Office of Student Accessibility at Quinnipiac University, Matt was deeply involved in many facets of Quinnipiac life. His first joy was working with students. Even as he guided and developed the Office of Student Accessibility, he regularly worked with individual students and their parents. His engagement and advocacy came naturally, setting a high bar for all of us. As director and first-year seminar professor, Matt urged students to get involved in their greater community, often coming home with beautiful stories he learned from the many conversations he had with his students. Matt loved his job and never stopped talking about the people in his environment that inspired him to stay motivated and change education through universal design.

As the ultimate hippie, he loved the Grateful Dead, often traveling to see shows and vibe with the community of kindness. “Strangers stoppin’ strangers just to shake their hand,” he loved the music and all it meant for motivating peace and possibility. Matt believed any problem could be overcome with kindness. As a CCD teacher, Matt ended each class with “remember always to be kind.” He will watch from the “Promised Land” as his son and classmates make their confirmation this fall. He was the funniest, most positive, open-minded, and loving man, which helped because he was also a dedicated fan of the New York Jets and Mets.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church located at 14 Prospect Street, Essex. A luncheon reception with beverages will follow in the Church Hall. Donations can be made in his memory to Muhlenberg Field Hockey give.muhlenberg.edu (other designation). You may also send gifts of remembrance in support of a financial aid scholarship to Quinnipiac University, c/o Heather Stegmaier, director of donor relations, AH-DVP, 275 Mount Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT 06489, or give online at qu.edu/give. Also, if you are like-minded, please submit a Kennedy Center Honors recommendation for the Grateful Dead; Matt did, monthly.