George Bluford Cooper

Portsmouth - George Bluford Cooper, 66, of Portsmouth, RI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 surrounded by his loving family and friends, at St. Annes Hospital Fall River, MA. George was the loving husband of Shelia (Murphy) Cooper for 33 years. George was born in Roanoke, VA on June 1, 1947 and was the son of the late Kinsey and Ruth (Angell) Cooper. George served in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, and in this capacity he traveled from Boston, MA to the Panama Canal, Honolulu, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Following his service with the Coast Guard, George piloted tugboats in Boston Harbor. He then captained tour boats for Viking Tours of Newport, RI for many years. George went on to enjoy a fulfilling career with Northeast Marine Pilots for over 35 years. George was an avid golfer and loved taking his Golden Retriever "Kula for long walks. He was a member of the Newport Athletic Club and Green Valley Country Club. George was a loving, compassionate friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. George enjoyed life to the fullest and often shared his witty sense of humor with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Shelia Cooper of Portsmouth, RI, his sisters Angell Pasley and her husband Charles of Moneta, Virginia, Becky Walker and her husband Charlie of Sarasota, Florida, his brothers Randy Cooper and his wife Elizabeth, Carl Cooper and his wife Patty, and Paul Thomas all of Boones Mill, Virginia. His brother John (Skee) Cooper predeceased him. His brother-in-law John and his wife Kathy Murphy, sister-in-law Colleen Atkins and many nieces and nephews also survive him. Calling hours will be held on Sunday December 8, 2013 from 4-7pm in the Connors Funeral Home 55 W. Main Rd. Portsmouth, RI. His funeral will be held on Monday December 9, 2013 at 11:00am in the funeral home. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 Visitation DEC 8. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Service DEC 9. 11:00 AM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com