Raffle Planned For Jason Cooper's Children

NORTH FORK, NY — During times of great pain and sorrow, loss and heartbreak, the North Fork community joins together through their tears and does whatever it takes to help a family in need after unspeakable loss.

Jason Cooper, 47, died suddenly after an accident Wednesday, and his lifelong friends and neighbors have come together to help, organizing a raffle.

Wendy's Deli announced the 50/50 raffle and donation to benefit Jason Cooper's three children Friday morning. Tickets cost $5 for 6, or "a lot" for $20. The raffled is sponsored by the Kait's Angel's team; the drawing will be held Saturday at the Kait's Angels Designer Handbag Wingo event at Macari Vineyard in Cutchogue.

Tickets for the raffle to benefit the children can be purchased at Wendy's Deli or at the event Saturday. Wendy's Deli is located at 55 Middle Road in Mattituck; tickets can also be purchased via Paypal at Quickd695@aol.com.

Wendy's Deli is "one of the most generous, giving, kind-hearted" businesses in the community, said Susan Tyler. "Always willing to support someone in need. Please stop in to buy a raffle ticket to benefit Jason Cooper's children. Jason was also one of the kindest, most selfless people we were blessed to have in our community, who tragically passed away on Wednesday. He will be sorely missed by so many. Thank you to Wendy for always being so thoughtful."

"This small community can make a huge impact," one friend wrote on Facebook. "Rest peacefully, Jason."

Jason Cooper's family will receive friends on Saturday, June 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, June 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church.

Interment with military honors will take place at the Cutchogue Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or the Cutchogue Fire Department would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

A Benevolence Fund has been created at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church for donations for his family; please note on the check that the funds should be directed to Jason Cooper's family.

Cooper, a Lieutenant in the Cutchogue Fire Department, is remembered as a loving, kind man devoted to his family and to the community he served, including his Cutchogue Fire Department family and the Mattituck Presbyterian Church.

"He was an awesome person," said friend at MPC Rory MacNish, who said his heart went out to Cooper's family. "I rode motorcycles with him — and he was going to cook all the chicken for the barbecue next month. He did so much more for his church family and friends. I'm just in shock," he said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he will be deeply missed. "Like the rest of the community, I am shocked and saddened by this news," he said.

Patch photo of Jason Cooper courtesy of Rory MacNish.

Raffle photo courtesy of Wendy's Deli.