Quincy – Francis T. “Ted” Cooper, Jr., age 79, a lifelong resident of Quincy, died peacefully on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in the outstanding care of Benchmark at Hanover while surrounded by his loving family.

Ted was born in Quincy to the late Eunice A. (Alexander) and Francis T. “Ted” Cooper, Sr. Raised and educated there, he was a graduate of Quincy Trade School, class of 1964. He went on to become a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 for many years before starting his own business, T. Cooper General Contractor of Quincy. His son and son-in-law worked alongside him for many years and will always value all that they learned from him.

Ted was above and beyond talented with his skills and brilliant mind; he could build you a house, fix your washing machine, and put a new engine in your car. He could pick up any tool or gadget and immediately know how it worked, or found a way to make it work better, and he was the first to have any new tech the years brought about. Ted also had a passion for music. He enjoyed playing the accordion, which he played completely by ear, and even performed at weddings over the years. Many a day were spent with the family playing songs like Beer Barrel Polka, Peg of My Heart, and Frosty the Snowman; as his father would say, Ted played the accordion, his mother played the organ, his brother John played the banjo, and his brother Gary played the radio. Ted also enjoyed archery, the pistol range, model airplanes, motorcycles & mini bikes. He was always involved in different projects, and was featured in the Patriot Ledger many years ago for building a robot made of sheet metal and tuna fish can ears for Halloween. He shared these passions with his son, nephews, and grandsons over the years.

Most of all, Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was very active in the lives of his family, had a fun and sweet nature, a kind and pure heart, and a great sense of humor. He would do anything for those he knew and loved, always with a smile and a twinkle in his baby blue eyes. Each of his children and grandchildren have both fun and wonderful memories of him, as do his many nieces and nephews.

On December 21, 1963, Ted married his sweetheart, Karen I. (Villeneuve) Cooper. When Ted was 14 and Karen was 15, they were introduced by one of Karen’s friends, but Karen had no interest in meeting anyone. Once Karen saw Ted, however, she said to her friend, “Oh, I like this one.” Ted clearly liked her, too, because they were married 4 years later and have been for 60 years. Ted and Karen were inseparable. Despite the many things they did together, what they enjoyed the most were the little moments, simply sitting and holding hands. They were always by each other’s side. They also had some great parties and pranks with their dear family and friends the Ciavattieris, the Coopers, the Zanowskis, the Horners, and the Griffins, and many annual trips to Eastover Resort. Ted was the proud father of Debbie Campbell and her husband Paul of Grass Valley, CA, both formerly of Quincy, Glenn Cooper and his wife Jennifer of Londonderry, NH, and Cheri Horner and her husband Brian of Hanover. Ted was the loving and cherished grandfather of Rebekkah Chalupka and her husband Stephen, Wyatt Campbell, Mason Cooper, Cooper and Colton Horner, and great grandfather of Leo Chalupka.

Ted was a beloved big brother to John Cooper, recently deceased, and his wife Diane of Quincy, and Gary Cooper of Weymouth. Over the years, whether younger or as adults, Ted and his brothers enjoyed spending hours together at Nantasket Beach, Arnold Arboretum, visits to the Battleship Massachusetts, and numerous Chinese restaurants. Ted was dressed to the nines for every occasion and taught the importance of making a good impression to his own children and grandchildren. Ted also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews who hold their own special memories of “Uncle Teddy”.

Ted’s family wishes to give special thanks to Marcia and Sunshyne, his caretakers, hospice nurses Michelle and Addy, and the staff at Benchmark at Hanover, especially Cassidy, Tatiana and Marissa and all the staff at Benchmark for the love and care given to him.

Memorial Visiting Hours will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, East Milton, on Tuesday, October 29, from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. At the request of the family, funeral services will take place privately.

For those who wish, donations in Ted’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.