Wayne County Life

SUBMITTED by Kate Chamberlin (14-Jan-2013)

Raymond B. "Jim" Cooper BSA Training Award

The BSA Jim Cooper Training Award is given annually to one adult and one youth who have been instrumental in training other Scouts, usually council or at least district trainers. The youth is usually involved in NYLT (National Youth Leader Training).

After Jim’s death in 1998, his children Bill, Bob (Coop), and Peg established the Jim Cooper Training Award in his memory. The first award was presented in 1998 to Christine Maroney of Sodus, an adult leader.

adoption by the Seneca Indians in 1937 by his Indian father, Chief Cornplanter

“Raymond Cooper was born in 1907 in Williamson, Wayne County, NY,” his daughter, Peg Cohen said. “When he was in school studying about James Fennimore Cooper, his classmates nicknamed him “Jim” and he was known by that name for the rest of his life."

“…Besides being a “civil servant” for 32 years, Jim has been a dedicated civil worker,“ according to the Williamson Sun Newspaper article honoring his retirement from 32-years as the Williamson Post-Master, June 22, 1972. “He served a 10-year term as a director of Myers Community Hospital, Sodus; has achieved a perfect attendance record at weekly Rotary meetings since joining in 1928 (he missed only when hospitalized for six weeks several years ago); is a Past Master of Pultneyville Lodge No. 159, F&AM, and achieved 32nd degree in the Coudersport, PA, consistory; was awarded life membership by the Williamson PTA for his service to youth; is a member of the Williamson Volunteer Fire Company; and the Williamson Rod & Gun Club. He has been an active member of the Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club since 1925 (the club was organized and opened in 1924). He was a charter member of the Williamson Orphix Fraternity."

Longer even than his service to the Post Office is his record of service to the Boy Scouts. He achieved Eagle Rank with one Palm in 1929 and immediately began helping other boys share his love of the outdoors by establishing a new troop. “Coop” was Assistant Scoutmaster when the Williamson Troop was chartered in 1927 and has served ever since. Along the way he has earned the Silver Beaver award, the highest area award given for service to Boy Scouting. He was Scoutmaster for 18 years, and a member of the Committee ever since, for the last several years as treasurer.

“Perhaps the greatest honor to come to this remarkable man, and the one for which he holds the most reverence, was his adoption by the Seneca Indians in 1937. His Indian father, Chief Cornplanter, is a descendent of the great Seneca Chiefs. Jim’s descriptive Indian name, Chief Ha-deon-nya-nih, means “he teaches”…”

“Dad said little about his work in Scouting,” his daughter, Peg said. “But he gave us the best example by living the Scout Oath and Law. He quietly continued actively in Scouting, in the later years attending hundreds of Eagle ceremonies, the last being four months prior to his death at age 90."

“Scouting has changed since my Dad was alive,” Peg continued, “but the core values which we teach our Scouts today have been in the Scouting movement since the beginning. The Jim Cooper Training Award recognizes those individuals who also strive for perpetuating the excellent core values in the BSA program.”

Jim Cooper Training Award Recipients (ADULT/YOUTH)

• 1998 – Christine Maroney
• 1999 – Sandy Keller
• 2000 – Vic Lonsberry
• 2001 – Jane Stobie / John McFadden
• 2002 – Ken Martin
• 2003 – Steve Wheeler / Robert Stobie
• 2004 – Eric Falkman / Mandi Brown
• 2005 – S. Renée Conley / Will Thompson
• 2006 – Mel Stickles / Brad Stickles
• 2007 – Martha Wheeler / Tad Petro
• 2008 - Bob Docteur, Jr.
• 2009 – Dave Cheney / David LeClair
• 2010 - Mary Royce / D. Marshall Strong
• 2011 - Craig Kaplan
• 2012 – David Finger / Troy Fazio.

Letters of recommendation can be addressed to: Seneca Waterways Council, BSA, 474 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607-1992, attention Council Training Committee. The letter should include the type(s) of training and why this nominee is outstanding as a trainer.

Sources:

` paraphrased from an Article in The Williamson (N.Y.) Sun and the Williamson Sentinel, Thursday, June 22, 1972; by Jean Transue Adams Cooper (wife of Stephen D. Cooper, son of Claude and Grace Cooper).

` mini-bio by Peg Cooper Cohen (daughter of Jim and Florence Cooper), BSA Towpath District and Council Training Teams, May, 2012.

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