HARTLAND, VT-- Derek Joseph-Jon Cooper, 21, a resident of Hartland passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, July 4.

He was born September 5, 1989 in Niskayuna, New York the son of David and Regina-Anne (Rimsky) Cooper. He received his schooling in Hartland and Woodstock, graduating from Woodstock Union High School in 2008, where he was an active board member of the Spectrum Club. He was currently enrolled as a criminal justice major at Lebanon College in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He also was employed as a clerk at Mike's Store in Hartland and at the Hartland Flower Farm. He was proud to be a firefighter and a member of the Hartland Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Windsor Police Department Cadet Program and had attended the Vermont State Police and Fire Academy Junior Cadet Program in Pittsford. He was a volunteer for the American Trauma Life Support Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and had recently completed the Red Cross Lifeguard Program. He was a member of the First Congregational Church and the Shakespeare in the Park Theater Program, both in Hartland. Derek especially loved to travel to, and spend time at his grandparent's home on Prince Edward Island. He greatly enjoyed cooking, ceramic artwork and photography. He also enjoyed skydiving, hiking, skiing and was an avid runner.

Survivors include his parents, David and Regina-Anne Cooper of Hartland, his identical twin brother, Justin H. Cooper of Hartland, his paternal grandparents, Harold and Rachel Cooper of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, many aunts, uncles and cousins throughout the United States, and his community of firefighters throughout Vermont.

A memorial service and celebration of Derek's life will be held Saturday, July 9 at 10:00 AM at the First Congregational Church in Hartland with the Rev. Lucia Jackson, Pastor, officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow at Damon Hall in Hartland. Committal services will be held at the convenience of his family at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Derek J. Cooper Scholarship Fund c/o Service Credit Union at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor assisted with the arrangements.