Farewell Phil Cooper: Former Geraldton mayor’s funeral a celebration of his legacy to family and community

The funeral celebrating the life of Geraldton’s longest serving mayor Phil Cooper praised his achievements as a hero in local government and the legacy he left behind for his proud family and community. The impact of Mr Cooper’s life was clear to see at Geraldton Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, when about 150 mourners gathered to honour the local legend, who died on July 10 at the age of 95. He gave 32 years of his life to serving in local government, including 13 years as mayor — ushering in a new era when Geraldton gained city status and benefited from major developments such as the removal of the train line on the foreshore and the building of the Aquarena. He was involved in many community groups and clubs, including as president and a life member of Brigades Football Club, and was made a Freeman of the City in 2001. Amazing Grace played as Mr Cooper’s casket entered with pallbearers, including his sons Chris and Steve Cooper and grandsons Wade, Dean and Zaine Cooper. Mr Cooper was the seventh of nine children, with three brothers and five sisters. The Cooper family was large and came from humble beginnings in Chapman Valley. Mr Cooper’s niece Delma Attrill spoke at the funeral. “Trucks and Coopers are words that go together,” she said, referencing the family’s role in the trucking industry in the Mid West. Mr Cooper’s eldest son Steve, who followed his father’s footsteps into local government and is a current City councillor, delivered a eulogy alongside his brother Chris. He detailed their father and their memories of him in council, and building their beach shack in Lucky Bay which is still frequented by new generations of the family. “Dad had a great sense of humour, so it’ll be good to get a few back on him,” Steve Cooper said, before sharing some tongue-in-cheek stories of the family patriarch. Mr Cooper was a keen golfer and one time had been practising his chipping at a local park when a passer-by told him he should not be doing this in a family-friendly park. Mr Cooper gestured for the man to follow him, and pointed to the memorial enshrined with P.G. Cooper Park. “This is my park,” Mr Cooper said, and the two laughed it off. The Cooper family were joined by local leaders, including Mayor Shane Van Styn and Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, as well as current and former councillors, to remember the stalwart and hear the heartfelt tributes. Mr Cooper’s wife of 46 years, Waltraut, sat in the front row listening to the many tributes to her husband. Mr Cooper’s granddaughter Tandia Cooper shared some fond memories and conveyed her grandfather’s sense of humour to the crowd. “Grandad told me to remind everyone that he and I are the best-looking Coopers, so I’ll just start there,” she said. “A lot of you know grandad from his days in council, and as mayor and some from the football club — but to me he’s just grandad. The one that’s always around. The one that’s always interested in what’s going on in our lives, and the one that will always support us, the most loving person with the most gentle soul and amazing heart.” Tandia said her grandfather’s innate leadership was still strong and he kept interested and active in the community right up until the end. “People keep telling me 95 is a good innings, but he wanted to be around for much longer, he had things to do.” A photographic tribute showed images from Mr Cooper’s life — ranging from family memories to him escorting the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Geraldton in 1988. Evidence of a full life, fully lived, which made a fundamental difference to many others. The service ended and the curtains closed on Mr Cooper’s casket as the song Smile by Uncle Kracker played.