Obituary of Richard Lyle Coop

Richard Lyle Coop
“Rich”

Age 78, a lifetime Joliet resident, passed peacefully, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center with his family by his side.

Rich was born September 29, 1939, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Joliet, to the late Lyle Franklin and Sophie Helen (nee Jagodnik) Coop.  As a youth, he attended the Cathedral of St. Raymond Grade School, and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1957.  Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 shortly thereafter.  At the 1958 Joliet Catholic Carnival, he met Esther, the love of his life, with whom he would spend the next sixty years.

Rich was a loving, humble, and kind husband, father, and grandfather who always put his family and friends first.  He coached youth baseball and basketball for many years, and was ecstatic to see his beloved Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series.  His passing leaves a hole in all of our hearts.

In addition to his wife, Esther (nee Rehak) Coop, he is survived by his son, Michael Coop (Jennifer Shadur); grandchildren, Spencer and Jake Rubin and Esther and Kennedy Coop; brother, Robert (Darlene) Coop; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet.  Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Avenue, Joliet, where a Concelebrated Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.  Inurnment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by donations in Rich’s name to Joliet Catholic Academy (to the attention of the baseball program.)  For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.