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Popular Football/Lacrosse Coach Born In Hudson Valley Dies At 52

A popular area high school football and lacrosse coach and former Division I college standout died of a heart attack at his home Saturday afternoon.

Jason Cooper

Jason Cooper

Photo Credit: Duke University

Jason Cooper, wide receivers coach at New Canaan High School, was 52.

Cooper was a captain of Duke’s football team in 1987.

For the past four years, Cooper served as an assistant coach for both the football and girls lacrosse programs at his alma mater, New Canaan High School. Prior to returning to his hometown, he worked in the finance field in Chicago.

A tight end and defensive end, he was an All-FCIAC and All-State selection and team captain for the New Canaan High School his senior season in 1984.

A Hudson Valley native, he was born Jan. 16, 1966, in Nyack, to Kay and Thomas Cooper.

He is survived by his partner, Katherine Ann Thornton of Darien; her children Liam Staats of Malibu, Calif., and Diana Staats of Venice, Calif.; his mother, Kay; his sister, Tracey Cooper of Oxford, England, and his brother, Robin Cooper of Fitchburg, Mass.; and his sister-in-law, Maureen Gallagher Cooper of Fitchburg. He is also survived by nephew Luke and nieces Jordan and Amy Hawkins of Oxford, as well as nephew Mason and nieces Bailey, Morgan and Riley of Fitchburg. He is also survived by his former wife of 20 years, Zoe Cortopassi of Chicago.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, Grace Community Church, Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Road in New Canaan.

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