Mark J. Cooper

Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home & Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 10, 2022

Mark J. Cooper, age 70, of Elizabeth Twp., died peacefully in his home on August 8, 2022. Born October 4, 1951, in Johnstown, he was the son of the late Donald and Jane (Hamer) Cooper, and is survived by his loving sister, Amy Cooper.

Mark was one of the kindest and wisest people his family and friends had the privilege of knowing. He would also insist “funniest,” but those who knew him would debate that point. Even in casual conversation he exhibited such an enjoyable intelligence that those little chats are what we treasure - want to know about the history of an obscure building in Erie, Pennsylvania? Not only would Mark know the history, his eyes would dance at the opportunity to share that information.

Mark’s profound goodness is how he will be remembered. He would carry his neighbor’s trash to the side of the hill, or bring you a book because he remembered you were interested in the topic. And if you were interested in the topic, Mark was too. Of course he had his own enjoyments - a deep love of history, playing and following baseball and tennis, classic cars, caring for his sister, and reading the newspaper. We always wanted Mark to enter his own car into a show. It was, after all, a gorgeous Casablanca yellow Cadillac Eldorado convertible, but showing off never appealed to Mark. He liked to walk around and explore what others brought to the show.

He lived a modest and fascinating life. His prowess as a rotisserie league baseball general manager was eclipsed only by his generosity, and skill at a blackjack table (Mark was escorted out of several prominent New Jersey casinos in the 80s after he was accused of winning too much money by counting cards.) He once played blackjack with basketball hall-of-famer Reggie Miller, who asked Mark to make a concession for him at the table. In typical fashion, Mark responded by referencing one of Miller’s more infamous games, conceded the request, and received a nod of approval from Miller. Mark was not showing off, he never did, he just knew everything about everything and liked to share.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in White Oak.

Arrangements were entrusted to Jaycox- Jaworski Funeral Home & Crematory.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.jaycox-jaworskifh.com.
Chris Odasso, Supervisor

Originally published August 10, 2022.

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