- Clarksburg Parks and Recreation Department officials remember former superintendent John Cooper
Logan D. Cottrell STAFF WRITER Feb 12, 2025
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) - City Parks of Clarksburg is mourning the passing of former Superintendent John Cooper, whose legacy spans more than four decades of service to the park system.
Doug Comer, current City Parks of Clarksburg superintendent, reflected on Coopers impact.
"It is a sad day for the Parks and Recreation Department," Comer said. "If you look at every park in this city, from the ones that generate revenue to the neighborhood parks, John Cooper has left his footprints on every piece of property the city parks have," Comer said.
Kelley Davisson, vice president of the Clarksburg Board of Park Commissioners, shared her heartfelt sentiment about Cooper.
"Theres not one person that has met John Cooper that didnt love John Cooper," she said. Davisson considered Cooper a personal friend. "Johns legacy with City Parks is 42 years of service," she said. "When I say 42 years of service, I mean 24/7. That man never took a day off. He always had his phone on him, even if he was on vacation."
Davisson emphasized that everything within the Clarksburg park system reflects Coopers contributions. "He was very innovative," she said.
John Angiulli, president of the Clarksburg Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, said hes known Cooper for 40 years. "Ive been part of the park system for 25 years," Angiulli said. "Johns footprint is in the Clarksburg City Parks everywhere you look. John Cooper was the superintendent when we built the new pool. John was also superintendent when we built the amphitheater and put AstroTurf on Frank Loria Memorial Field."
Davisson said many people who worked for City Parks saw Cooper as a role model.
Comer added that Coopers influence extended beyond the Clarksburg park system. "Johns a former president of the West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association," Comer said. "Hes been a part of that since the inception of the program itself."
Comer noted that Clarksburgs parks would not have many of their current amenities without Coopers dedication, "because of his grant writing abilities and using that ability to find funding to help build things."
The Clarksburg Amphitheater was particularly meaningful to Cooper, Comer said. "Just simply because its bringing tourism to the city and showing off the assets that he laid the foundation for," Comer said. "He was born in Clarksburg, played sports in Clarksburg, and he operated the parks he grew up on."
Angiulli highlighted Coopers deep commitment to Clarksburgs parks. "He had a very caring heart for our parks system," Angiulli said. "He believed that our system was there to serve the citizens of Clarksburg."
"You cant put a value on what he did for the parks system in Clarksburg," Comer added.
Comer also credited Cooper for his own career path. "I wouldnt be in the position Im in today if I didnt have someone like John in my corner," Comer said.
https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/clarksburg-parks-and-recreation-department-officials-remember-former-superintendent-john-cooper/article_7c807b40-e985-11ef-a877-eb2de0a89c1a.html
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- Bridgeport, Clarksburg Officials Remember Former Clarksburg City Parks Leader John Coop Cooper
By Jeff Toquinto on February 13, 2025
They called him Coop.
They also called him father, brother, uncle, grandfather and the one most called him -- friend. On the public front he was the face of the City Parks of Clarksburg for four decades, and it was a face that left as big of an impact as it did to those that knew him personally.
Earlier this week, John Cooper, whose professional life was dedicated to the enhancement of recreational opportunities for his home city and drawing people from across the state and beyond, passed away.
The passing comes less than two years after he stepped down from a job that was synonymous, in the most positive way, with his name. He officially retired on June 30, 2023.
During that time, he not only made Clarksburgs park system one of the best in the state, he also worked hand-in-hand with the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department, in particular former Director Don Burton and current Director Joe Shuttleworth. Both were saddened with the news of the passing of their friend.
"I was devastated to hear my friend passed. Yes, hes had health issues for a few years, but you dont want to think of the end result. You know its possible, but when you hear it, it is devastating," said Burton. "We not only lost a good friend, but a good man."
Shuttleworth echoed those comments.
"John was just a big-hearted guy who Im glad to have become friends with. Maybe it was his Italian upbringing, but he was like my big brother," said Shuttleworth, who said Cooper served as one of his early mentors when he first started in Bridgeport decades ago. "His family took us in, and we were at his house and did so much stuff together whether it was a visit for fun or having fun on his boat. Im glad I got to spend time with him this past Saturday and have a few more laughs, but Im sure going to miss my friend."
There was no tension between the Clarksburg and Bridgeport Departments. Instead, there was an open line of communication that benefited both and included a lot of trips together to state conferences and other gatherings.
"He was extremely active on the state side of the West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association, holding offices including president and treasurer along with serving on numerous committees," said Burton. "He had a wealth of knowledge, could see things and plan things and was such a forward thinker."
"Sometimes he called me and sometimes I called him if we had questions," Burton continued. "... He was always there if you needed something or had an idea and the best part is that if he didnt think it was a good idea, hed tell you. Thats extremely valuable to have someone you trust be completely honest, and he was that person."
Shuttleworth worked as an assistant director and director with Cooper. He said he was the same dependable person throughout.
"With our departments so close, we would work together on projects, bounce ideas off one another, share equipment, and do what needed to be done to provide for the community," said Shuttleworth. "Where you would really see John do his best was at the state conferences because he was willing to help and was especially helpful to the younger people in our profession. I know he did so much for Clarksburg and provided for us as well, but his leadership benefited people across the state."
"You always hear people say if you want to see an impact of what a person does for their profession you look to see if they left it better than they found it," he continued. "John Cooper left things better than he found it. There is no question about that."
In Clarksburg, his fingerprints are in place for some of the most heavily used recreational facilities in North Central West Virginia. Under Coopers leadership, projects such as the Clarksburg Amphitheater, the turfing of Frank Loria Memorial Field, the Clarksburg Splash Zone, the Mayors Fitness Trail, new pickleball facilities and a host of others came into place and still thrive.
One individual that saw Coopers work on two fronts is Clarksburgs Jimmy Williams. Williams was friends with John and his wife Mary Beth for roughly 50 years and also spent the last eight years as a member of the Clarksburg Board of Park Commissioners.
"The experience he had was something that helped grow the parks. When he started and was working under (former Superintendent) Lou Rieser, there just wasnt as much money available or grants available, said Williams, who pointed out Cooper was a fine athlete and a member of the Notre Dame State Catholic championship basketball team. "John would work with (Clarksburg) City Council, the Harrison County Commission, and start writing grants, and he was excellent at it, and the relationships he built and the ability to find money allowed for the growth the parks have had."
As pleased as Williams was to have watched the Clarksburg Parks System grow under Cooper, he was more pleased to call him a friend.
"He was one of the best. He raised four great children, and he loved his grandchildren. I dont think he had an enemy. He so impressed people because he was good at what he did and he made you feel good; always smiling," said Williams who became emotional talking about his friend. "Even when he battled his health issues at the end, you were greeted with a smile. He was one hell of a man."
https://www.connect-bridgeport.com/connect.cfm?func=view§ion=News&item=Bridgeport-Clarksburg-Officials-Remember-Former-Clarksburg-City-Parks-Leader-John-Coop-Cooper-58352
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1959 - 2025 (66 years)
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