By:Angela Marshall
Irving Cooper doesn't believe in doing anything halfway. If he's throwing a party, there's enough food to feed an army. If he's fighting for a cause, he starts at the top. And when he's saying farewell, he makes everyone wish they were coming along.
After more than six years of activism and dedication to senior issues in Rockville Centre, Cooper and his wife, Florence, are moving to Wayne, N.J. to be closer to family.
During more than two hours of tributes, friends both applauded Cooper's work and teased him about his sometimes overzealous dedication.
In a video montage, Village Administrator Anthony Cancellieri recalled the first time he met Cooper. He remembered how he started to say how nice it was to hear some of the senior's concerns and Cooper cut him off. "That's very nice," Cooper said. "But here's what I want..."
A straight shooter, Cooper never backed off from a project he believed in and is given credit for many of the program ideas at the Sandel Senior Center. It was his desire to find a meeting place for the Men's Club that sparked the crusade to enlarge the Sandel Center.
Among the numerous other projects Cooper is credited with are the center's extended hours, the large-screen TV, on which the seniors watch first-run movies on Sundays, and the bocci court.
Cancellieri learned to respect Cooper over the years and finished a letter to him by saying, "You are my hero."
The village administrator also encouraged Cooper to pick up the phone and reverse the charges any time he has another good idea.
Cooper encouraged others to follow through on their dreams as well and to not take no as the final answer. He did say that he learned a lesson from former deputy mayor Chris Amato, who told him "You can't win 'em all." After that, he chose his battles more carefully.
He also found that part of working toward a goal is being nice. "That," he joked, "I've found to be the hardest part."
Cyd Beth Charrow, director of senior services for Rockville Centre, said food has played a central role in Cooper's day-to-day dealings at the center. He was always organizing volunteers to feed other groups or planning barbecues with the Men's Club. In honor of Cooper's love for food, especially Jewish delicacies, a large buffet was prepared for the party.
Never one to come to a gathering empty- handed, Cooper brought his own party favors, including a big basket of liquor and gift certificates to McDonalds.
"I want to thank all of you for six wonderful years of being part of your community," he said.
