- Date Of Birth: July 21, 2005
- Date Of Death: November 5, 2014
- State: Michigan
COOPER, SIMON Simon Vincent Cooper, age 9, was granted his angel wings on November 5, 2014, following his battle with leukemia. His final days were spent at home surrounded by family and friends. He passed with his parents by his side, knowing the deep love they had for him.
Simon was born on July 21, 2005 in Stamford, CT, to Michael and Ondina Canganelli Cooper. Throughout his short life, Simon approached each day with joy, strength, bravery, and determination. He attended Winchell Elementary School, where he was embraced with enormous support from students, staff and the Winchell community. Simon was a gentle spirit, who loved school and was very close to his teachers and kind to all his classmates. He was a member of Cub Scout Pack 256 with many of his friends.
At home, he enjoyed playing on his iPad, playing Wii, riding his bike, swimming, watching favorite movies and shows and spending time with his twin sister Elyse, with whom he shared a special bond. His hobbies were listening to music, collecting Disney VHS tapes and American Girl dolls, and shopping at Goodwill for treasures. Some of his favorite memories were family trips to Wisconsin, American Girl Place in Chicago, Walt Disney World, Michigan Adventure, and going back to school for end of year activities in June of 2014. While at Bronson Children’s Hospital and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, he enjoyed art and music therapy, playing Memory with Child Life, exploring the Mott courtyard, and visiting with the U of M athletes.
During treatment, he bonded with many of his doctors and caregivers and was grateful for their expert care. Surviving are his loving parents, Michael and Ondina Cooper of Kalamazoo; twin sister, Elyse Cooper; paternal grandparents, Dick Deb DeMink Cooper and Penny Cooper; aunts and uncles, Tim Yvonne Cooper, Becky Tom Cooper-Deater, Aldona Keith Macksoud and Johnna Charles Anastasio; cousins, Eric Macksoud, Shelley Macksoud, Angela Macksoud, Alex Anastasio, Zachary Anastasio, Juliana Anastasio, Whitman Cooper-Deater, Ian Cooper and Ben Cooper; and an endless number of friends and supporters.
Preceding him in death were maternal grandparents, Vincent Canganelli and Jane Wild; and great-grandfather, Casey DeMink. Simon touched so many lives and his courage and positive energy will continue to be an inspiration. His kindness, playful spirit, warm smile, and sweet voice will forever live in our hearts. His motto was, “Be brave, never give up!” and he never gave up, maintaining hope and fighting hard until his passing. He is our hero.
