ROQUE BLUFFS – Leonard Nelson Hooper, 80, passed away Feb. 5, 2008, at his home. He was born July 18, 1927, in Machias, the son of Myra (Clark) and Percy L. Hooper. Leonard graduated from old Machias High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Leonard received his undergraduate degree in education from the University of Southern Maine and received a Masters in Arts from Columbia University, New York City. Leonard taught high school English for more than 50 years, starting in a one-room schoolhouse in Perry, before moving to East Orange, N.J., where he taught for 25 years before retiring. Leonard returned to his beloved Roque Bluffs home, where he enjoyed gardening and caring for his family. Not one to be idle, Leonard accepted a teaching position at Machias Memorial High School in 1976, where he taught, until the day he left us. Leonard was born to teach and was a lifelong student. At age 75, he attended the Maine Writers Project, a summer fellowship to foster the teaching of writing in Maine classrooms. Leonard is survived by his sister, Betty Lou St. Pierre and husband, Alberic, and their three daughters, Jackie Koons, Tina St. Pierre and Nancy St. Pierre; brother-in-law, Norman Nelson and his two sons, “Dusty” Norman Nelson Jr. and “Sandy” Carl Nelson; sister-in-law, Audrey Hooper and her four children, Mike Porter, Jill Cuddihy, Laurie Ann Lessard and Debbie Maciorawski; and many great-nieces and great-nephews; Uncle Thatcher Clark; Aunt Josephine Clark; and many cousins; special friends, Stephen and Jeanne Stuart, and their sons, Matthew and Lucas; and thousands of grateful students. He was predeceased by his mother and father; his sister, Nancy Nelson; and brother, Carl Hooper. Memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Machias Memorial High School gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, donation may be sent to the Leonard N. Hooper Scholarship Fund, care of Machias Savings Bank, attention William Cherry, P.O. Box 318, Machias, ME 04654. Private interment will be held in the spring.
LEONARD NELSON HOOPER
