Obituary of Tony Cooper

December 11, 1925 - February 12, 2019

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of W.A. (Tony) Cooper on February 12, 2019. Tony is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Nadine; four children, Zora (Dean), David (Shelley), Melody (Dave) and Brian; eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Born in Lancashire, England, Tony came to Canada with his mother (Bertha Cooper) and his sister (Joyce) when he was only six weeks old. They joined his father (William Cooper) who was renting a home near Val Marie. They did not stay there very long and homesteaded on land near Wallard, Saskatchewan where they farmed grain, raised cattle, hogs, chickens, etc. Tony received his schooling in a one-room schoolhouse called "Broncho" School.

When his girlfriend Nadine Diacon moved to Regina in the fall of 1947, Tony followed, where he took a course in motor mechanics and welding at Balfour Tech. He was subsequently employed at Regina Motor Products.

Tony and Nadine were married on July 2nd, 1949 in Aneroid, Saskatchewan.

In 1954 they ventured into the world of self-employment and began a tool business. The tools were imported from the U.S.A and the brand was "MAC TOOLS". Tony was a natural with tools and when he invested in a walk-in truck in the spring of 1956, his tool business began to prosper. The business Tony founded has undergone some name changes through the years. However the family run business, Cooper Tools & Equipment, remains and will celebrate 65 years in May 2019.

Tony had a desire to learn to fly and in the spring of 1959 he began flight training at the Regina Flying Club. He went on to accumulate over ten thousand flight hours. He was Fundraising Chairman for the Clubhouse, which opened in 1968, and was President of the club from 1972 to 1975. He was also a member of the Eastview Rotary for twenty years, Saskatchewan Flying Farmers for thirty years, and was an active member of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). He also cheerfully volunteered to help Nadine with the organization of Women Pilots "The Ninety-Nines".

In 1978, Tony joined the Regina Antique Auto Association where he was President and Treasurer. He also chaired the International Tour when it came to Regina in 1979. He loved antique cars and restored a 1931 Model A Convertible, that was his pride and joy. He also restored a 1948 Torpedo Back 2-door Pontiac Silver Streak, and Nadine's father's 1947 Chevrolet half ton truck.

In 1989 Tony and Nadine furthered their entrepreneurship by opening Grassroots Country Store & Antiques which Nadine continues to operate today.  During the next several years, he utilized his skills as a “Mr. Fix It’ to repair and restore the many treasures that came their way.

The family would like to thank Sunset Extendicare staff for their attention to Tony during his 11 year stay there. Flowers are gratefully declined. Charitable Donations in memory of Tony may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

A celebration of Tony's Life will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK, on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.