Rev. Thomas E. Cooper

Rev. Thomas E. Cooper, 74, of Camillus, died Friday, June 1, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. The son of James Edward Cooper and Arlie Marie Dobbins Cooper, he was born on Thursday, June 16, 1932 in Adrian, Michigan. After spending his early years in Adrian, he moved to Camillus in 1970. Father Cooper was a 1950 graduate of Adrian High School and 1959 graduate of the University of Michigan. In 1962 he received a Master of Divinity degree from Bexley Hall Seminary in Rochester and did post graduate work at Drew University. He was rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Camillus for 24 years, retiring in 1994. He formerly served with the Syracuse Metropolitan District Dean, Episcopal Church, and Bishop's Deputy to Retired Clergy/Spouses. Father Cooper was chaplain for the Fairmount Fire Department and the Onondaga County Volunteer Fireman's Association for 20 years. He was president of both the Bexley Hall Alumni Society and the Joint Alumni Council. He was a founding member of the Mycroft Holmes Camp Followers Association. He and his wife, the former Beryl Moore, wrote two volumes of Sherlockian Jumbles. Beryl died in 1998. Surviving are his companion, Carol Greis, of Camillus; daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Eugene Eddy of Syracuse; sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas Jr. and Fran, Kevin and Christopher, all of Syracuse; stepchildren, Frederick, Julie, Wendy, Melissa and Susan; grandchildren, Alexander and Maxwell Eddy; step-grandchildren, Louis, Heather, Fred, Frances, Jessica and Joshua; and step-great-grandson, Jadan. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2007 at Grace Episcopal Church in Syracuse. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home in Camillus. Contributions may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church Restoration Fund, 819 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13210.