Ronald Ellwood Cooper, age 70 of Digby, passed away on January 20th, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. Ron was born on June 5th, 1942 in Vermillion, Alberta to Desmond and the late Caroline Cooper. Ron joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1960. He took this basic training at CFB Cornwallis, NS. There he met and married the love of his life Margie Potter and became a part of her wonderful family. He served his country aboard HMCS Bonaventure and HMCS Cap de la Madeline. He was also stationed at CFB Stadacona and CFB Shearwater before retiring from the Navy in 1969. He and his family then moved to Bear River where he owned and operated Riverside Electronics until 1982. He later owned and operated Cooper’s Custom Computers until 2010, where he met and made many friends. His real love and passion was flying. He flew both a Cessna 172 and a Piper Cherokee 140. He belonged to the Hillgrove-Digby Flying Club where he had some great times with Eddie, Duane and many others. He was also the manager of the Digby Airport for several years. He flew all over the USA and Canada, sometimes accompanied by his dear wife and sons. Ron received his commercial pilot’s license in 1990. He was a founding member of the Civil Aviation Search and Rescue Association. Ron organized a senior men’s softball team and enjoyed the game and the camaraderie of his fellow players. After closing his business you could see he and Margie walking hand in hand along the streets of town.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Margie; sons Ron Jr., Rob (Joanne); grandchildren Amanda (Sean), Megan, Dylan and Brendon; great grandsons Benjamin and Aiden; his father Des Cooper of Victoria, B.C; sisters Lynn (Les) Milbury of Digby, Cherryl (Henry) Prenevost and Bonnie (Rick) Gordon of Alberta; brothers Rod (Rosie) and Rick (Diane) of Victoria, B.C; also by many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and family. Ron was very impressed with the NS health care system. He was treated so well by all the staff including Doctors P. Goddard, J. Black, M. Bander; VON nurses; ambulance attendants and all other health services. A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the Digby Fire Hall on Friday, February 1st, 2013 from 2-4pm. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Ron’s memory to the Digby General Hospital or the VON.