PORTLAND -- Thurlow "Coop" Cooper, 74, of Falmouth, died peacefully Feb. 14, 2008, at Maine Medical Center with family by his side.

Coop was born March 18, 1933 in Togus, the second of three children for Claude and Olive Cooper. He attended Cony High School where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. Scouted for professional baseball out of high school, Coop instead chose to attend Maine Central Institute and the University of Maine.

He was a standout three-sport star at UMaine in football, basketball and track. At 6'4" and 235 lbs., "Thundering Thurlow" was a two-way end on the football team, the leading rebounder on the basketball team and set a state AAU high jump record that stood for 20 years.

In 1956 Coop captained the UMaine football team and among the many honors bestowed upon him was his selection as the first Maine player to be named to the senior Blue-Gray game. Such an honor was it at the time that the Governor of Maine, Edmund Muskie, helped with expenses out of his own pocket.

Coop became the first athlete from the state of Maine to be drafted into the NFL when the Cleveland Browns chose him following his junior year. Coop returned to school for his senior year, however, and upon graduation entered the Cleveland camp in 1957 along with a rookie named Jim Brown. Following their careers the two would occasionally see each other at golf tournaments and Mr. Brown always remembered "The Big End" from Maine.

In 1959 Coop was picked up as a linebacker by the New York Giants and in 1960 he was signed by the New York Titans/Jets and finished his professional career with them in 1964. Coop cherished the memories and friendships he made during his football career throughout his life, however, his most memorable moments may have been the recognition he received in his home state of Maine.

In 1988 he was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame for football and track. He is also honored at the University with an eponymous award given to the best rookie on the UMaine football team. In 1989 he was recognized by the State of Maine with induction into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. Always proud of his Maine roots he counted these honors as particularly meaningful.

After the completion of his football career Coop settled in Falmouth and began a long and successful career as a sales representative for L.G. Balfour and Taylor Publishing Company. He was an expert skier and spent almost every winter weekend skiing with family and friends at Sugarloaf. In the summer he enjoyed golfing at Val Halla Country Club.

Always a competitor, he enjoyed playing in club tournaments; however, whether skiing or playing golf, his greatest joy came from spending time with friends. He will be remembered by all for his outstanding athletic achievements, but more importantly, "Big Coop" will be remembered as a loving father, friend and companion to those fortunate enough to have known him.

Coop was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Claude Cooper. He is survived by a sister, Patricia Clark and her husband, Floyd, of Belfast; a son, Scott Cooper who resides in Colorado with his wife, Priscilla, and stepson Zachariah; a daughter, Martha Murdick of Falmouth, her husband, Kent, a stepson Bryce and a granddaughter, Abigail, whom Coop adored; longtime companion Margaret Kuss who provided him with great comfort and support; an aunt, Jean Horseman of Ontario; and an aunt Eileen Hawkes of New Brunswick.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 4-7 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A gathering of family and friends will take place Wednesday Feb. 20 from 4-6 p.m. at Val Halla Country Club, 1 Val Halla Road, Cumberland. Burial will be in Blanchard Cemetery in the spring.

The Cooper Family has created a memorial of Coop's life and it is available at www.mem.com Please visit Coop's Memorial and share your condolences, memories and wishes with the Cooper Family.

Coop was a lifelong supporter of UMaine Athletics and attended and watched as many events as he could.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the University of Maine Football Scholarship Fund in honor of Thurlow Cooper at the following address:

5747 Memorial Gymnasium

Football Office

Orono, ME 04473