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He has lived in Ridley Park for over 50 years;  raised his children and grandchildren between Ridley Park and the Jersey Shore. (In the summer time)

I met George Cooper for the first time, in 2nd Grade at Anthony Wayne Public School, 28th and Morris Streets, in South Philadelphia. He was the smartest guy in the class. I borrowed some of his knowledge by hanging out with him and doing homework together in his row home across from the school.  We went on to Audenreid Jr. High where George was elected president of the senior class.  I was gone; transferred to Catholic school after one year.

I bumped into Cooper again on the football field. He was one of the toughest offensive tackles in the Pop Warner Conference. In a scrimmage game on the black cinder playing field at Vare Recreation Center, with his leather helmet flying off his head, he double blocked two of the biggest players in our division; opening a hole in that line and backfield, that enabled me to run 98 yards for a touchdown.  I have never forgotten that game or the ability of George to do the impossible on the field and off.  Our team, Pontiac A.C. went on to win the Pop Warner Division Championship, for several years, with Cooper leading the way up front.

     He pursued athletics, officiating in three sports, basketball, football and baseball. When I moved to Ridley Park, many years ago, living one block behind me was George Cooper.

A man who believes in his convictions, he had strong feelings when the new Ridley High School was built. Not being a political person didn’t stop Cooper from coming out on Election Day, all day, to oppose the referendum to build the new school. “Too expensive, the present school serves the purpose”, he remarked, as he stood at the doorway of the Ridley Park polling place. He had no one to help him with his message that day, but when the day ended and the votes were counted, George delivered a winning vote in that precinct.

     The new school was built, despite George’s efforts, and today he supports the alma mater of his children in Ridley. He is a man who takes up the fight and when the battle is done, will close ranks without rancor.

This past summer, at his “second home at the seashore”, George suffered a stroke.  That same tenacity and determination that endured on the playing field, in his work and education and, especially, when he lost the love of his life, wife Betty a few years back, has enabled him to come home to Ridley Park where he is recovering.  I was not surprised this past November when George came out of the car, assisted by his daughter, and with a walker in front of him, made his way into the polling place and voted. With his spirits high, a clear voice and still keen eyesight, he was on his way back. That 2nd grade enthusiasm hadn’t left him.

Never a loss for words, George was on the top of his game, with the papers, TV and Internet, he proceeded to pick the winner of this year’s Super Bowl.  “ I hate to tell you, but the Giants are going all the way.”

In my next column:  They were a team that gave much to the Ridley Park Community. The Icons of Ridley Park’s past, Bob and Mary Nilon.

Bob was born and raised in Ridley Park, son of Irish immigrants.  He learned ice-skating on Ridley Lake; went on to play professional hockey. A record setter, Bob was headed for the World Olympics, until he was stopped by World War II .