William Peter Cooper passed away peacefully on June 23rd, 2023 in Burnaby, BC at the age of 76. His life was joyful, full of laughs, and conducted on his own terms.
Peter was born May 2nd, 1947, in Montreal, Quebec to William (Bill) Henderson Cooper and Lorna Hilda Cooper (née Dennahauer). He moved with his family to Toronto, Ontario when he was one month old. Highlights of his childhood included attending Toronto Maple Leafs games and spending every summer day at the family cottage on Lake Simcoe. As a child, he aspired to one day become an Anglican minister. During his later high school years, he grew his hair long and soon began to enjoy newfound attention from girls – but also found himself kicked out of school for refusing to cut his hair! He was eventually readmitted and graduated. He then went on to obtain a degree in Philosophy from York University – but he refused to take life too seriously. His teenage years and early 20s were deeply impacted by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and 1960s hippie culture. As a young man, he felt a pull towards the west coast, and he made many road trips out to Vancouver with friends before eventually settling there in 1973. Even after moving to Vancouver, he returned each summer to Ontario to spend time with his cousin Jim and other friends on the lake.
Bridge was one of Peter’s favourite pastimes, and it was his love of the game that led him to meet his future wife, Julie, at the Penticton Regional Bridge Tournament in 1982. The two were married in 1991, and welcomed daughter Katie in 1993. Peter and Julie enjoyed participating in the Vancouver bridge scene together with their friends for many years.
Peter always felt a drive to help the less fortunate, and he worked in group homes and volunteered with the Crisis Line for several years. He also served as a foster parent, opening his home to many children and young adults, including daughters Debbie and Melissa. In the early 1990s, he received a Diploma in Horticulture from Capilano University and subsequently opened his own landscaping business, which he ran for several decades before retiring.
Peter was adored by innumerable friends and acquaintances, famous around the neighbourhood for his irreverent and witty sense of humour, his true kindness, and for always being willing to lend a hand. He loved kids and babies, dogs, trees, and Starbucks coffee with gum. He was also passionate about exercise, and for many years, he could be found most days in the late afternoon either run/walking at Jericho Beach or at the Kitsilano Fitness Centre. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, and friend.
Peter is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Julie Smith, daughters Katie Cooper-Smith, Debbie Gardiner, and Melissa Gardiner, sons-in-law Gordon Prugh and Justin Zellinsky, grandchildren Kayla, Ethan, Brianna, Emily, and Jaden, cousins Jim Rhodes and Sharon Galloway, brother-in-law Charles Wernle, niece Caryn Brown, nephew Chris Wernle, cat Peanut, and many close friends and other family members. He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Lorna Cooper, his sister Carol Ann Wernle, and his cousins Bill Rhodes, Jill Cooper, and Debbie Cooper.
Peter was irreplaceable, and he will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life is planned for August 2, 2023, at 4:30 at Aberthau Manor in Vancouver. Memorial donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund.
Count your age by friends, not years.
Count your life by smiles, not tears.
-John Lennon