Obituaries

Johnny Cooper Green born on Dec. 8, 1951, in Georgetown County, SC city of Hemingway to the late Otis Buster Cooper and Ella Green Cooper. Johnny passed away peacefully on the 29^th of Aug. 2023 in New Haven, CT.

Johnny moved to New Haven, CT in 1952 where he grew up and graduated from Hillhouse High School. Johnny was a beloved father, brother, Uncle, and brother in law. His first full-time job was working for a Home Builder where he was taught many trades in this field. He worked at Pratt and Whitney for a few years and went on to work in the field of construction with his father and his brother Charles at Tomlinson. Johnny will be remembered by us all for his generous heart, his creative spirit, and the joy he has brought to many lives he has touched. Johnny also took on a job as the family protector, don’t you mess with his family.

Johnny was legally married to Candis Green of New Haven though he went his separate way she still held a candle to his heart. Johnny has a daughter named Sharonda Andress who lives in West Haven CT. He had a personal friend named Beverly Moore of Raleigh North Carolina for many years and they had a son named Johnny Durell Green. He has 2 grandchildren named Amani and Analla Green from his son.

Johnny was part of a large family. His surviving siblings are brothers Otis Cooper (Buddy Boy), (Minnie Pearl Cooper) (Deceased) of Hemingway SC., Michael Cooper of New Haven, CT., and Charles Cooper (Maritza) of Fort Myers Fl. Ernie Randall(Teresa)- Sisters are Mary F Green-Watson (Duane Watson)  Hamden Ct, Dawn Cooper-Gause(David), and Patricia Cooper Collins both in Atlanta GA. Diane Cooper, Karen Cooper-Bagley(Michael) of New Haven Ct. Kathleen Cooper-Thompson of Fort Myers, FL, and Crissy Cooper-Wynn of New Haven, CT. Lillian Randall-Robinson(Lenworth) sister sister Clarice Randall-Elarabi(Hicham) both of New Haven Ct. Shirley Dorsey of Raleigh NC

Deceased siblings are Darrell I. Cooper of (CT) and Deloris Grant (SC)

He leaves behind a host of nephews and nieces living in New Haven Ct, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Washington State. There was one niece in the state of Connecticut he could always call on for anything and that is Tonya Renee Gause.

In his personal life, Johnny was known for his passion for fishing, dancing, singing, and playing both the electric guitar and piano which, he played by ear. He would hear a song and was able to start playing it on the piano. His favorite song to play was “OH HAPPY DAY”, his talent never ceased to amaze us. Johnny was also a man who could cook. He would have the kitchen smelling so good with his favorite ingredients that he had to have on the shelf, (hot sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, green peppers, onions, and sugar) When he was done you couldn’t wait to put your fork in it. Johnny also enjoyed working on cars, yes, he was a mechanic too. oh… let us not forget the jokes he used to play on us.

His favorite song was “LOVE AND HAPPINESS” by Al Green, he would sing that song just like him. He had many other songs, but this is the one he cherished the most.

Despite all of these great passions, nothing brought Johnny more joy than spending time with his family in Georgia and North Carolina. He cherished every moment he spent with them. He would always have a great story to tell us about what he would see when he went down to the Green. He would leave us laughing each time. I used to say your journey through life is something else.

Johnny was a man who loved deeply and lived fully. He was the light of the party with always a joke or a story to tell to keep you laughing. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for you. He always lent a helping hand and shared his wisdom. There was nothing he couldn’t do with his hands. I never questioned Johnny about his faith for in the last years of his life we always saw him wearing a cross around his neck and his conversation made more sense than ever. He said he always carried the cross with him.

Johnny was blessed with such a caring heart and a smile that would light up the room. His presence will be truly missed by all who were in contact with him. There were many people who knew Johnny and they had very kind words to say.  A young person called to let me know he was the coolest man he had met. It made our day.

Johnny’s life is a testament to the joy of laughter and the power of love for his family and his friends in the wonderful world of creativity which we learned a great deal from. His memory will be forever etched in our hearts and soul. As we say goodbye to our brother Johnny, who loved being called Jay Jay and hearing his sisters call him “bro” know that his laughter, kindness, and the love he had for us all will forever be etched and echoed in our hearts. His time here will forever touch the many hearts of the people who came to know him.

A Celebration of Johnny’s life will be held on Saturday September 9, 2023 in Colonial Funerals, 86 Circular Avenue, Hamden at 10am. Visitation in Colonial from 9:30-10:00am. Burial will follow the funeral services at Hamden Plains Cemetery. Condolences maybe expressed at www.colonialfunerals.com