Edwin John Cooper

Edwin John Cooper of Pittston passed away suddenly on Mon., April 28, 2008 at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. He was 73.
He was born in Edwardburgh Township on Feb. 4, 1935 to Ralph Cooper and Alice Sloan.
Ed is survived by his wife Mary, whom he married at East Oxford Presbyterian Church on Oct., 2, 1956, his son James, daughter-in-law Susan, and grandsons Dennis and Edwin. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Lyle.
Ed graduated from the Kemptville Agricultural School in 1954 and in the following year, purchased his parents' farm. Over time, he worked at expanding and improving the operation through the addition of more acreage, the introduction of systematic tile drainage, the building of a new dairy barn, and the expansion of the dairy heifer feedlot.
In the early years, Ed had a thriving business dealing in pigs. After his son started farming with him in 1978, they focussed on purebred Holstein cattle, which they bought and sold locally, as well as exported to the United States.
Ed was a member of Holstein Canada for over 50 years, and served as a 4-H leader in the Grenville County for 25 years. Even his leisure activities were farm-related, as he enjoyed travelling to the plowing match, taking soil and crop bus tours, visiting open houses of new milking facilities, and other similar events.
Ed was also quite interested in auction sales and was instrumental in his son becoming an auctioneer. He enjoyed being involved in helping James build the family auction business. Above all, Ed loved working with his grandsons, who are the fifth generation to sow a crop on the family farm.
The visitation and funeral took place at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Cardinal, with burial at St. John's United Cemetery. Pallbearers were George Burchell, Gary Cooper, Bill Sloan, David Sloan, Larry Sloan, and Ron Sloan. Honourary pallbearers were Larry Conlin, Steve Conlin, Bill Cook, Gordon Dodge, Art Gillan, and Peter Heusser.
In memoriam donations to Pittston United Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.