Riverside community in mourning
EDGEWATER -- City Councilman Ted Cooper died this morning at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach after a massive coronary. He was 61.
The city released a statement this afternoon stating in part, "With great sadness the City of Edgewater announces the passing of City Councilman Theodore 'Ted' Cooper after a sudden illness."
Cooper's sudden passing at 11 a.m. was met with sadness.
"It's just shocking -- because Ted really cared," Councilwoman Gigi Bennington told NSBNews.net. "He was a very colorful member of our council."
Bennington said that although Cooper was hospitalized for a couple of days last month for a heart ailment, his passing today was unexpected: "Ted died of a massive coronary. He was outside his home talking to a neighbor when he fell over. I'm just having a hard time knowing he's gone."
Bennington said city officials were not aware of any immediate family, but Cooper's contributions in the political arena and even more with thecommunity at large will not be forgotten or dismissed.
Cooper was elected in November of 2007 to represent District 4 in the City of Edgewater. He was also the first vice chairman of the Volusia Transportation Planning Organization.
Myron Hammond, owner of Edgewater Towing & Recovery on U.S. 1, said of Cooper: "Edgewater has lost a good man. My condolences and prayers go out to his loved ones."
Myron Hammond, owner of Edgewater Towing & Recovery on U.S. 1, said of Cooper: "Edgewater has lost a good man. My condolences and prayers go out to his loved ones."
Cooper, a 30-plus year resident of Florida Shores, was an avid supporter of the YMCA and instrumental in making the Edgewater Animal Shelter a reality.
Though the city has had its share of partisanship like many small communities across the Sunshine State, Cooper understood the value of bringing opposite sides together. Hammond, who recently lost his own father, said Cooper's untimely passing at such a young age "is a lesson to living each day without regrets or grudges."
Cooper, who oftened flashed a smile, was down to earth, but no pushover.
Hammond experienced that firsthand in September when Cooper was able to bring his colleagues together after a heated public meeting regarding a towing contract that had the Edgewater businessman fighting to retain his contract with two other wrecker services vying for a limited customer base.
"Ted was realistic about what could and couldn't be done, but always always went the extra mile any way," Hammond said.
Police Chief Dave Arcieri agreed, adding "Councilman Cooper was always supportive of law enforcement."
When Arcieri had the six-month interim tag lifted from his title as Edgewater's top cop near summer's end, Cooper was not only a good listener, but someone he and his officers knew would have their backs.
"Councilman Cooper was a very approachable guy and I'm going to miss him," said Arcieri, now in his 17th year with the Edgewater police force.
