Plaistow – After 72 years of marriage, Charles Raymond (Ray) Cooper, Jr., 98, and Florence Mary (Ruthven) Cooper, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on February 13, 2019 and February 15, 2019, respectively. Born in New Haven, CT, Ray was the son of Charles Raymond Cooper, Sr., and Jane (Reynolds) Cooper. Also born in New Haven, CT, Florence was the daughter of Thomas Edward Ruthven and Helen Mary (Kelsey) Ruthven. Both Ray and Florence were raised in New Haven, CT, and were childhood friends before beginning to date in 1942.
Later in 1942, Ray enlisted in the 320th Fighter Control Squadron in the United States Air Army Forces. While serving his country in World War II, Ray was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, Ray attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and numerous Marksman Medals.
After returning to New Haven, Ray worked as a mechanical designer and eventually retired from Yale University in 1989. Ray and Florence were married on July 27, 1946. They welcomed their son, Robert Edward Cooper, and their daughter, Carol Helen (Cooper) Verge. Ray and Florence were active members of their parish, Blessed Sacrament, until 1989 when they, along with Robert, moved to Plaistow, NH to live near Carol, her husband William (Bill) Verge and their two grandchildren, Amy Soo and Kevin.
Ray and Florence were often seen at their church – Holy Angels – or supporting a number of its community events, including Ray’s membership in the Knights of Columbus. Ray and Florence enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, watching the New York Yankees (although Florence enjoyed cheering for the Red Sox to antagonize her family), or driving to the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee in search of the best view and restaurant in NH. In addition, Ray and Florence liked traveling and were often heard discussing their memorable trip to Scotland in search of Florence’s ancestors.
Ray and Florence lived full lives surrounded by family and friends. In 2003, they lost their son Robert, but are survived by their daughter Carol and her husband Bill; granddaughter Amy Soo Klopotoski, her husband Dean and their children Sean, Charles, Rosanna and Rebecca; grandson Kevin Verge, his wife Sara and their son Liam; and several nieces and nephews. Ray was also predeceased by a brother Thomas Cooper and his wife Elinor; sisters Jane Dippold and her husband Charles; Marian Dippold and her husband George; and sister Betty Alex and her husband Bob.
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