Shawn Michael Cooper, at 65

Shawn Michael Cooper, age 64, a resident of Nantasket Beach, died after a recent illness on Dec. 18, 2022. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Barbara and Clifford Cooper of Scituate. Mr. Cooper is survived by his siblings: Maureen Gold of Marco Island, Fla., Kathryn Joseph and her husband, Bob, of Naples, Fla., and John Cooper of Hull; his niece, Emma Womack and her husband, Sam, of Cashiers, N.C., and his nephew, Darrin Gold, and his wife, Alice Liao, of Boston. He also leaves behind his longtime friend and companion of 30 years, Sandra Holt of Rockland.

Mr. Cooper was a graduate of Hull High School, where he excelled in tennis and basketball. He enjoyed high school and his many friends. He was a huge fan of all Boston sports, especially his New England Patriots. Mr. Cooper spent his career as a computer librarian for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Boston before taking an early retirement. He had a lifetime passion for music he shared with all, including his niece and nephew. A guitar he once gifted his niece, Emma, now hangs on the wall of a music venue in New Hampshire. He loved to give music as a present, and he had the ability to choose just the right music, the right musician, for you.

In spite of dealing with the physical limitations of rheumatoid arthritis for most of his adult life, he never lost his ironic and sometimes biting sense of humor (used mostly to lampoon what he considered the idiocies of today’s political world). He was a devoted son and caretaker to his parents, enabling them to spend the later years of their lives in their own home with independence and dignity.

Mr. Cooper was an avid reader, and among his favorite authors was Hunter S. Thompson. One of Thompson’s quotes enjoyed by Shawn seemed to reflect his view on life and death: “Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run, but no explanation, no mix of words or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Buy the ticket, take the ride.”  

Shawn, you left us way too soon; we will miss you, baby brother. 

May his memory always be for a blessing.

A celebration of Mr. Cooper’s life will take place next summer.