By Nick Buglione
Cooper was elected by East Meadow residents to the commissioner position in 1952 and was reelected several times over the next 35 years. As fire commissioner, Cooper oversaw the allocation of funds given to the fire district from the town.
"He was very into the fire service and particularly the firefighters," said former East Meadow Fire Chief Anthony Butera, who served with Cooper for 52 years. "He was very involved with the needs of the firefighters, and he did everything he could to provide for them. He was probably one of the most generous men you're going to find around."
When Cooper retired from the department in 1992, in commemoration of his nearly four decades of dedicated service, the East Meadow Fire Department awarded Cooper with an Honorary Life Membership, the only one ever given out.
"There was nothing else that we could do in the fire department to honor him," said Butera.
Rabbi Israel Nobel, who presided over Cooper's funeral services, attested to Cooper's charitable nature.
"Victor Cooper loved the East Meadow community, and there was nothing that would prevent him from extending himself on its behalf," said Nobel. "He did everything he could to help the members of the East Meadow Fire Department; he was always there for them."
More than 40 former commissioners and chiefs attended the funeral, approaching the casket two-by-two to salute Cooper one last time.
"This man was a miracle," said Cooper's widow Victoria, who was married to him for 39 years. "He overcame so much in his life."
Stricken with polio when he was only 8 years old, Cooper learned at a young age how to overcome adversity. Hobbled by the crippling disease for the rest of his life, he also survived two heart attacks in 1981 and grappled with diabetes, an affliction that would eventually lead to the amputation of his right leg.
Cooper, however, never let his illnesses get in the way of his community work. He was an active member of the Lions Club, Elks Club, Masonic Order, Jestei, the East Meadow Firemen's Benevolent Association, National Fire Protection Association and an associate member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
"He was extremely well liked; he had a lot of acquaintances," said Victoria. "If you showed him some kindness, he'd bend over backwards for you."
A native New Yorker who grew up in lower Manhattan, Cooper was a successful jeweler in the Diamond Exchange. At the age of 16, he was employed at the exchange for about $1 a day -- a job that over the years would evolve into a successful 65-year career.
Cooper moved to East Meadow in 1950. He is survived by his wife, Victoria; daughter, Beverly; step-daughter Mone, and step-son, Jules.
