George Coope

Mr. George Edmund Coope, 83, of 3 Myrtle Street, Adams, died on Friday June 29, 2007, at the North Adams Regional Hospital, shortly after being admitted. He was born in Adams on February 2, 1924, son of the late William and Helen (Frese) Coope. He attended schools in Adams, and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1942. At the time of his death Mr. Coope was employed as Sexton and Caretaker for the Parish of Notre Dame and St. Thomas Aquinas, Adams. Mr. Coope had also worked as a printer for the former Arnold Print Works, Adams, from 1946 until the mill closed in 1984. He was a Veteran of World War II having served with the United States Army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater from 1943 until his honorable discharge as Master Sergeant in 1946. He was a communicant of the Parish of Notre Dame & St. Thomas Aquinas, Adams, where he worked and volunteered from 1972 until the time of his death. He was in the first group of Eucharistic Ministers for St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and was also a lector. He was an active member of the Parish of Notre Dame & St. Thomas Aquinas Finance Committee, Buildings and Grounds Committee and Parish Council. He was also active in the Turning Leaf Golf Classic for the Roman Catholic Community of Adams. He was a longtime committee member of the Annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal, and was awarded the Bishops Circle of Stewards of the Diocese of Springfield in 2002. He was a member of the Polanka grounds steering committee, Adams, and was a driving force behind the restoration of the grounds. He was a life member and Past Commander of the Adams Post 160 American Legion, and was a member of the Memorial Day Flag Committee, and Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade in Adams for many years. He had also participated in many burials of countless Veterans in local cemeteries. He was and Educator in American Civics and Government for the Adams Cheshire Regional School District for many years. He was a member of the Machine, Printers, and Engravers Association of the United States. He was a supporter of the Adams P.A.L, and the Louison House. He had also held many Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners for the Elderly in Adams. He loved Polka music and was a great promoter of Happy Louie and his Orchestra. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was a member of the Adams Hound and Hunt Club, and the Western Massachusetts Track Club. One of his favorite things to do was relax with an ice cold Pabst. His wife the former Mary E. Burke, whom he married July 31, 1948, died on April 5, 1962. He is survived by: 3 Daughters - Linda M. Lagess and her husband Bruce, Shirley A. Deneault and her companion Frank Piekos, and Jean M. Fortier and her husband Mark, all of Cheshire. 7 Grandchildren - Brian Lagess and his wife Tammy of North Andover, Keith Lagess of Adams, Evan Lagess of Cheshire, Maryann Fortier of Adams, Kyle Fortier of Cheshire, Stacey Fortier of Cheshire, and Kurt Deneault of Exton, PA. 1 Great Grandson - Hayden Armstrong of Adams. Calling hours will be held on Monday July 2, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM in Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church, McKinley Square, Adams. A Solemn Procession will be held at 8:00PM from Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Adams. A Concelebrated Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday July 3, at 11:00AM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Adams. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Memorial donations may be made to the Parish of Notre Dame & St. Thomas, the Adams Ambulance Service, or the Adams Post 160 American Legion through the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, which is in charge of arrangements.