Andrew C. Cooper

Andrew C. Cooper, age 88, of Amherst, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2011, at Mercy Regional Medical Center, following a short illness.

Born August 12, 1923, in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, he moved to Lorain in 1933 from Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Lorain High School in 1941 B. He also graduated from Case Institute of Technology (Case Western Reserve) in 1948 with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Andrew served in the U.S. Army from 1942 – 1946, serving in Europe and the South Pacific.

He worked for National Tube Company, later United States Steel Corp. and U.S.S. Kobe in Lorain, retiring in 1982 after 34 years of service. His employment included a number of different management positions, and at retirement, he was Superintendent of Maintenance. Following his retirement from U.S.S. Kobe, he worked in Indonesia as a consultant from 1986-1987.

He was active in the community as former president of the Lorain Exchange Club, General Chairman of the United Appeal – 1967, United Appeal Budget Committee, 1968-1970, former member of Lorain Lions Club, Lorain Chamber of Commerce and Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Lorain Port Authority Advisor for 13 years, former Board Member of the Lorain County Red Cross. He was also a current member of the Senior Fellowship.

Active in his church, First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain, he served as Church Council President, Finance Committee Chairman, Sunday School Superintendant, Building Program Chairman, and on the Stewardship Committee.

He enjoyed following and participating in sports and outdoor activities, as well as traveling extensively. He especially enjoyed wintering in Florida, and the 20 years of annual family vacations on Pelee Island.

Andrew is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jane Ann (nee Witter); son, James Cooper (Kathleen B., deceased) of Amherst; his daughters, Diane (Richard) Britt of Amherst, Janet (Albert) Grills of Virginia Beach, VA and Kathleen Mulhern of Haddon Township, NJ; 9 grandchildren, Matthew Britt of Avon Lake, Lindsay Britt (Ryan Miller) of Castalia, Sarah Grills (Rohit Nelapaty) of Virginia Beach, VA, Amy Grills (Stevie Wasem) of Australia, Diane Grills (Alex Bove) of Kennett Square, PA, Mary Beth Grills (Christopher Deuell) of Norfolk, VA, Erin Mulhern of Haddon Township, NJ, Michael Mulhern,of Medford, NJ, and Kelly Mulhern of Haddon Township, NJ; 3 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mary Ann Summer of Silver Spring, Maryland.

The family invites friends to a memorial service on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 603 Washington Ave., Lorain. Pastor Jimmy Madsen will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Memorial Fund at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 603 Washington Ave., Lorain, OH 44052.

The Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst, handled the arrangements. Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.dovinreberjones.com