Obituary of Stephen Edward Cooper

Stephen Edward (Steve) Cooper, 78, passed away peacefully in Melbourne, Florida on December 17, 2022. Steve was born in Sayre, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1944, the son of Hubert and Dorothy (Truman) Cooper. Steve grew up in Owego, New York with three brothers, James, Richard (Deac) and John Cooper. After graduating from Owego Free Academy in 1962, he left Owego to obtain a bachelor's degree from Clarkson University and a master's in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University. Steve completed three courses toward his Ph.D. and prepared to take his preliminary oral exam when he decided to “make a living!” Steve began his career as a programmer, working on defense contract projects for the US government, and then moved into technical writing. Later, he moved to California to work in the semiconductor industry with family, including his brother John and sister-in-law Mary. After retiring, Steve returned to the East Coast where he worked at the University of New Hampshire in the Jazz department. Steve also volunteered at the Great Bay Coast Watch working within the UNH Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant Program, protecting the long-term health and natural resources of New Hampshire's coastal waters and estuarine systems. Eventually he moved back to Owego, where he met his wife, Annette (Schweiger), the love of his life. Together they spent many happy years traveling, enjoying friends, taking classes, listening to fine jazz and enjoying the benefits of the Florida weather! Steve will be remembered as an intelligent and gentle colleague and companion with a quick wit and a generous spirit, and with a not-infrequent habit of punctuating conversations with a humorous quip and mischievous smile. He was always eager to lend a hand when he thought he could help, whether it be for grant writing, repair work, or volunteer projects. He had a deep love of jazz music, which he shared with many in his life, and he worked to preserve and honor the genre and its musicians. Steve also had many other passions, including nature, history, ice hockey, fishing, and community service. He was active in organizations such as the University of New Hampshire Marine Docents, the UNH Jazz Library, the Owego Rotary Club, Owego Elks Lodge and the Tioga County Council on the Arts (TAC). Steve was predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Dorothy (Truman) Cooper, brothers James and Richard Cooper, former wife Margaret Cooper, and stepdaughter Jennifer Schweiger Buchanan. He is survived by his loving wife, Annette, as well as former wife, Bonnie (Messinger) Cooper, sons Stephen and Aaron Cooper, brother John Cooper, and numerous nieces and nephews. Steve is also survived by his stepsons, Robert Schweiger, Raymond and Shannon (Gowe) Schweiger and step-grandchildren Jacquelin, (Riley Ayers), Richard, and Mitchell Buchanan and step great-grandson Jameson Ryan Ayers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 12:00 Noon at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, Florida. A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Owego Elks Lodge, 223 Front Street, Owego, New York. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Steve’s memory to: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Grotto, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, Florida The Schorr Family Firehouse Stage Goodwill Theatre, 67 Broad Street, Johnson City, New York Tioga Arts Council, 179 Front Street, Owego, New York