FAIRFIELD - - "Pete" Cooper, 83, passed away on February 8 after a brief illness. He was born on August 19, 1940, the son of Louis and Barbara (Barter) Cooper. He grew up in Bath, ME graduating from Morse High School in 1959 where he captained both the football and baseball teams. From there he attended the University of Maine playing football where he was a three-year letter winner, member of the 1961 Yankee Conference Championship team, and captain of the 1963 football team. He graduated in 1964. While at the University of Maine he met the love of his life, Lois Goldschmidt. They were married in 1965 and lived together very happily for 47-years until her passing in 2012. During their 47 years they welcomed two children, Kevin and Kim, and enjoyed watching them grow up playing sports through their college years.   Pete began his teaching and coaching career at Madison High School in 1964 coaching football, basketball, and baseball. In 1969, Pete and Lois moved with their two young children to Fairfield when he was hired to teach and coach at Lawrence High School. He quickly fell in love with the students at Lawrence and Bulldog Pride became a way of life for the family. As head football coach at Lawrence, he won three State Championships, four Eastern Maine Championships, many Pine Tree Conference Championships, was the seven-time winner of the Pine Tree Conference Coach of the year awards now known as the Pete Cooper Coach of the Year Award, and two-time winner of the Maine State Class A Football Coach of the year. In addition, in his 47 years of coaching, he was recognized by many national and state organizations for his contributions to amateur football. Pete was the head coach of the East team at the first Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl and later was named Head Coach Emeritus. He concluded his coaching career working with his son for 13-years at Bonny Eagle High School. Throughout his life his wife Lois was always his biggest supporter. In their retirement, Pete and Lois enjoyed many vacations with special friends Bonnie and Bill Dolley travelling to baseball stadiums throughout the country. They also enjoyed watching their four grandsons in all their endeavors. In more recent years he filled his days with lunches with Jim Marascio and excursions all over the state with Steve Lee. His biggest joy was in watching his four grandsons grow and compete in their sporting events. Most of his time was spent watching them play at Lawrence and Bonny Eagle high school and Springfield College. They always knew their biggest supporter was on the side rooting for them. Pete was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Louise and brother Dan and his beloved wife Lois. He is survived by his son Kevin and his wife Amanda of Buxton, daughter Kim and her husband Toby Suttie of Fairfield. Four grandsons, Cameron Cooper and his wife Jen of Berwick, Jacob Suttie of Fairfield, Colby and Caden Cooper of Buxton, and his great-granddaughter Cora and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held in the gymnasium and Williamson Performing Arts Center at Lawrence High School on Sunday, February 25. The school will be open at 12:00PM (noon) with visiting hours taking place in the gym and the Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 P.M. in the WIliamson Performing Arts Building. A private burial will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lawrence Football Boosters, P.O. Box 414 St., Fairfield, ME  04937 or Bonny Eagle Football Boosters Club, P.O. Box 628, Standish, ME, 04804. Arrangements are entrusted to the compassionate care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, located at 107 Main Street, Fairfield. Memories of Pete can be shared, and an online register book can be signed by visiting www.lawrybrothers.com.