Neptune- Joseph R. Cooper, 86, of Neptune, unexpectedly passed away in his home on May 31, 2018. Joseph was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Bronx. It was there that he met his sweetheart, Elaine, when they were just teenagers. They were married in June 1954 and celebrated 60 years together. They moved to Long Branch when Joe served in the Army and was stationed at Fort Monmouth as an instructor in the Signal School. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Joe became a civilian employee at Fort Monmouth until his retirement in 1988. They moved to Ocean Township where their son, Charles was born, and then moved to Neptune where their daughter, Gayle, was born. Eventually, they settled back in Ocean Township to raise their children.
In 1972, while working full time at fort Monmouth, Joe and Elaine started a small novelty business. Novelette Industries became his passion, and they worked together building the business. He loved schmoozing with his customers, and his grandsons were taught “Buy low sell high” from the time they were little boys. Joe never wanted to retire, and he continued to work until his passing.
Joseph’s other passion in life was spending time with his family. He was fortunate in his marriage to Elaine, and a very devoted father to his son Charles and daughter Gayle. He became Papa Joe to his 3 grandsons, Matthew, Adam, and Jordan Ardakanian, watching them grow into wonderful adults. Last year he became Papa Joe to a great granddaughter, Eloise, and he enjoyed having a baby in the family again.
Joseph was a congregant of Congregation Torat El in Oakhurst. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was also known as Mr. Fix it, and he enjoyed working in his home machine shop. There was very little he couldn’t build or fix. Joseph enjoyed traveling with friends and family, and especially enjoyed traveling to Israel.
Joseph was predeceased by his wife Elaine, his parents, Sarah and Harry Cooper, and his sister Bessie Cooper. He is survived by his son Charles, daughter and son-in-law Gayle and Reza Ardakanian, sister Ethel Cooper, grandsons, Adam, Jordan, and Matthew and his wife Jocelyn, and great-granddaughter, Eloise Ardakanian. Joseph is also survived by his companion, Shirley Chaplowitz, who brought him much happiness the last couple of years.
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