MERRILL A. COOPER

     Merrill A. “Coop” Cooper, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester. He was born in Rouses Point, NY, son of the late Albert V. and Edith A. (O’Dell) Cooper.

He leaves his two beloved daughters, Sheila A. Soloperto and her husband, John of Worcester and Pamela J. Hobin and her husband, William of Sutton; his brother, Alan R. Cooper of Virginia; his four grandchildren, Chrystina Soloperto and her fiancé, Nicholas Manero of Holden, Andrew Soloperto and his wife, Courtney of New Jersey, Alicia and Nicole Hobin of Sutton; and his longtime companion, Mary Shliapa of Paxton.

He was a proud veteran of the US Navy and served during World War II.

Coop worked as a truck driver for M & M Transportation in Worcester for many years. He was a member of the Local 170 Teamsters, a life member of the Southworks Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post, both in Worcester. He loved working in his yard and enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He was dedicated to his family, especially his grandchildren and loved to attend events they were participating in.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, September 21, from 10-11 a.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, followed by a funeral service honoring his life at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Richards Memorial Library, 44 Richards Avenue, Paxton, MA 01612 or to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.