Martin Cooper

Martin Cooper of Riverhead died April 11 at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. He was 73.

He was born June 24, 1936, in Manhattan to Mannie and Annette (Moore) Cooper. He attended high school and earned a bachelor’s degree. He married the Rev. Mary Bell in Riverhead on Feb. 1, 1958.

Mr. Cooper served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1977, retiring with the rank of Technical Sergeant. He then worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in Melville for 20 years before retiring.

He was a member of the Combined Veterans Association, Vietnam Veterans Association, American Retirees Association, Garfield Langhorne Memorial Association and Retired Military Association.

According to his family, he enjoyed being a gentleman farmer and playing the organ.

Predeceased by his brother, the Rev. Dr. Mannie Cooper Jr., he is survived by his wife; his children, Maryeta Upshur of Baltimore, Md., Marysa Johnson and Maryona Williams, both of Orlando, Fla., Marylin Winter of Riverhead and Mark, of Kings Park; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Graveside funeral services with military honors were conducted April 14 at Calverton National Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Memorial donations may be sent to the House of Praise Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 178, Riverhead, NY 11901.