COOPER, Reginald Charles

83, of Baker Settlement, passed away at home on October 15, 2023.

Born in Lunenburg on October 28, 1939, he was the son of the late Ronald and Marjorie (Selig) Cooper.

Reggie lived in Lunenburg and Bridgewater for most of his life, and finally in Baker Settlement. For 48 years he fulfilled his passion for the sea, through working on freighters, then fish dragging, and finally scallop dragging, where he remained until retirement. He was employed by North Sydney Fisheries, Shelburne Fisheries, Riverport Seafoods, Atlantic Ship, Adams and Knickles, National Sea, Mulgrave Fisheries, Sweenies Fisheries, Scotia Trawler and Port Mouton Fisheries, where he fulfilled the positions of deckhand, second engineer and chief engineer.

Reggie was shipwrecked at the age of 14, on the Patricia Sweenie, where he saved the lives of nine men. He was the first to see the Canadian Coastguard at six miles away, so they nicknamed him "Little Beaver".

Reggie enjoyed docking at various ports and meeting new people. On one memorable occasion, he had the opportunity to shake hands with Fidel Castro.

Reggie loved spending time with his (belated) dog, Buster, as well as morning coffees and conversations with his friends and their families.

Reggie is survived by his stepchildren Susan, Nancy, Darlene (Lee), Neil (Barb), Mark and Sandra (Willie); half-sister Joan Chevrier, half-brother Jerry Parsons (Gladys); several nieces and nephews and grandchildren, as well as extended family Eddy and Sharon Jesso, Jonathan (Holly), Lisa-Mae (Adam), and grandsons Antonio and Austin.

Besides his parents, Reggie was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Miller; brothers Franky, Bobby, Johny, Gary, Georgie and Gilbert; and stepdaughter Bonnie Adams.

Memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday October 24, 2023, in R.A. Corkum Funeral Home, Wileville. Rev. Willis Ott officiated. Interment was held in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg later that day.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or the Kidney Foundation of Canada, NS.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.corkumfuneralhome.ca