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Cooper, Ashley Venn
Ashley Venn Cooper drank his last cup of strong black coffee and took his final postprandial nap on November 24, 2023. Born on June 12, 1928 (the code to the garage door) in Montreal to journalists Ashley William Cooper and Ellen Louise (Swindlehurst) Cooper, Dad grew up in Westmount in a household where manners, good behaviour and high achievement were nothing but expected. He was the oldest of a lively crew: siblings Audrey, Brenda and Bob, who sang Gilbert and Sullivan songs as they did the dinner dishes. A brother died in infancy. With a car unnecessary in downtown Montreal, Dad hauled home the family Christmas tree on foot and was the first in his family to drive, taking his excited, but nervous siblings on the long trip to visit their grandparents. Following graduation from Westmount High, Dad went to Macdonald College in Ste.- Anne-de-Bellevue to study agricultural sciences. He wanted to farm. Seated next to him, in alphabetical order, was Helen Mary Day. During first year they were pals, second year, they walked out after dinner, and in third year, Helen received daily love letters addressed “Dear Blondy”. Things cooled off after graduation when Dad went to work at Jack Fraser’s Guernsey farm in Concord, Ontario and Helen settled in to research at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. But two years later they married, moved to southern Ontario and after a bit, purchased a farm near Queensville, which they worked organically, against prevailing practice. Dad loved all children, but especially his own brood. He and Mom welcomed six in nine years: Billy, Carol, Howard, Gordon, Eric and Patty. Tragically, Billy died in a farm accident at age three, and Dad bore the pain and guilt he must have felt, stoically, forever mourning the loss to his other children of Billy as a sibling and most especially the loss of her firstborn child to Helen. With all those mouths to feed, Dad became a teacher of high school physics, and moved the family into the village. He knew his stuff, engaged his students, who at times included his own children, and taught according to their needs. When one of his young students became pregnant, he regularly took schoolwork to her home so that she could keep up her studies. There were no special programs in those days. He took the family camping, to sports, taught them to ride bikes, enjoyed Scottish country dancing and bridge with Helen, and volunteered as the church treasurer and as a youth leader, as well as with Wolf Cubs. He loved to read and soak up the sun.
After moving to Ottawa in retirement, he volunteered weekly with students to put together a children’s page for the local newspaper, and created scavenger hunts and science projects for his beloved grandchildren. He was a Jock River Streamkeeper and enjoyed cross-country skiing, cycling, or walking in the woods, greeting people and dogs alike and reading. A lot. A champion sleeper during the last of his 95 years, Dad slipped away while napping after an enjoyable day spent visiting with family. He leaves his beloved Helen, his sister Brenda, the last of that Westmount bunch, all of his surviving children, their spouses, numerous grandchildren, great-grand-children, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, some very good neighbours in Kanata and many memories. Thanks to the staff of Lord Lansdowne Retirement Home and Dr. Benoit Robert, who cared so well, not just for Dad, but us too. Dad was a humble man, who did not want hymns or speeches to mark his passing. He always made a point of saying good-bye to us, standing on the lawn waving until we were out of sight. Similarly, we will bid farewell to Dad at an informal gathering in the new year with date, time and place being determined.
In honour of Dad, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Otherwise, take a moment to rest on a park bench, soak up the sun, enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the children play. Oh, and bring a good book. See you anon Dad.
Friday November 24th 2023
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
death notice Venn Friday November 24th 2023
obituaries notice Venn Friday November 24th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Venn Friday November 24th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
