James "Nic" Nicoll Cooper

James Nicoll Cooper, born October 5, 1934 in New Haven, Connecticut, passed away Saturday July 19, 2025.  He was educated at Foote School, Westminster (in Simsbury, Connecticut), and Harvard, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1956.  He was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at the University of Michigan, and then returned to Harvard to finish his PhD.  He served in the army, stationed in Italy, which was a formative experience.  He was a professor for twenty years at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, took early retirement and worked in risk management at Price Waterhouse.  He resided in South Egremont for many years, enjoying the Berkshires and serving on the Egremont Historical Commission, while also being active in other town and community activities.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, his children Alix and Jenny, and two grandchildren, Walker and Miller, as well as his sister and brother and their families.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Doctors Without Borders, the Trustees of Reservations (or a land trust of your choice), or the Clark Art Institute.