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Brian Haddix remembered…

Brian Haddix remembered

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

BRADENTON – Longtime Anna Maria Island resident Brian Haddix passed away at Tidewell Hospice on June 21.

Brian was 52 years old when he passed. That day, Brian’s son, Elijah, shared the news of his father’s death on Brian’s Facebook page.

“I’m here to pass on the very sad news that my father is no longer with us. Please feel free to remember and tell stories in the comments below. Thank you, and God bless,” Elijah wrote.

Elijah’s post produced 116 comments as of Sunday morning.

Tracy Wimpy wrote: “Sweet Elijah, I’m so very sorry to hear of your daddy’s passing. He was such an amazing and sweet friend to us and everyone he met.”

Brian Haddix remembered…
Shana Sawyer Miller and Brian Haddix enjoyed some special moments together before his passing. – Shana Sawyer Miller | Submitted

Shana Sawyer Miller wrote: “There’s so many memories I can think of, but I think the greatest ones I’ll ever have of your dad Elijah is the first time I saw him in 35 years and got to hug him, and when we slow danced on the beach at sunset to a playlist I made of songs that we’d sent each other over time. ‘Come Away with Me’ by Nora Jones was the first song. Some friends helped me out and set up white lights around a beach tent. I surprised him with that, and we danced under it. He’ll always be a part of me wherever I go and whatever I do. He made me appreciate the little things again. He loved the wrestling event you brought him to. I know he was afraid he’d be too sick, but he made it and he had a great time.”

Mike Larimore wrote: “The lasting memory of your dad is that ‘Core’ smile and his upbeat take on life in general, regardless of circumstances. He was a good man and we were lucky to know him.”

Sissy Quinn noted Brian’s active Facebook presence and wrote: “I for one will miss his many posts of beauty, kindness, education, etc. He was a real treasure!”

Darcie Duncan wrote: “Your daddy was such a sweet friend to me and so many others for so many years.”

Cindy Thompson wrote: He was a one-of-a-kind soul and has a huge tribe of friends, and island locals who can all remember a “Hardcore” story from first-hand experience. He will be missed and remembered in every island sunset.

Christopher Banan wrote: “His kindness and humble spirit was a great example of the Island brotherhood we experienced back in the day that barely exists now, mostly because everyone has gone their separate ways and a lot of old school friends have moved away or passed on.”

Brian Haddix remembered…

Before his passing, Brian Haddix and his dog, Roscoe, enjoyed a boat ride provided by his friend Rob McGrath. – Rob McGrath | SubmittedRob McGrath helped organize the Brian Haddix benefit at Bunny & Pirates Bazaar in Cortez last December. On his own Facebook page, McGrath wrote: “I’m very sad to hear of your passing today. I am very thankful that you were in good hands and not suffering at the Hospice house. I’m really glad we were able to pull off the benefit for you. I know it provided for you while you couldn’t work. I’m glad you got to take the train ride you always wanted to do. I’m also glad your heart found love in your last days. I’m thankful I was able to get you out on the water one last time too. You may not have died with all the toys, but you had a lot of friends who truly cared about you and that says so much more than any possessions. You always had a smile to share and the biggest heart. That’s probably why you had so many friends. You will be missed by many, but all the great times we all shared together will last us forever. Here’s to all the good times, the scraps, the early days at The Center and the tears of laughter we all shared with each other. Most of all, you will be remembered for that great big heart of yours.”

To McGrath’s post, Rose Lipke added: “Fair winds and following seas my friend.”

A memorial service/celebration of life for Haddix is currently being discussed, but no plans had been formalized or announced as of Sunday.

Brian Haddix remembered…
Brian Haddix enjoyed a wealth of friends and memorable experiences during his life on and around Anna Maria Island. – Rob McGrath | Submitted
Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away

Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Obituaries.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island lost a beloved figure with the passing of Bob “Coop” Cooper on Saturday, July 3.

Cooper passed away at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, where he spent the final weeks of his life comforted by Louise Schippers, his girlfriend for the past 16 years. Cooper entered Tidewell Hospice recently because he was suffering from emphysema and some of his organs were beginning to fail.

“He’s the most kind-hearted person – a give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back kind of guy. He loved people. He loved helping people. He has a good soul and he’s my love,” Schippers said less than a week before Cooper passed away.

Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away
Bob “Coop” Cooper was a popular figure in the Island’s bar scene. – Submitted

Known to many on and around Anna Maria Island as “Coop” or “Coop da Loop,” Cooper is also survived by his son, Bobby Cooper, his daughter, Amber Cooper and his granddaughter Jewelee – all of whom live in the area. Cooper was 62 years old when he passed and he originally hailed from Westfield, Mass.

Before Cooper’s passing, Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler started a GoFundMe page called “Support & Love for Coop da Loop.” The header on the fundraising page says, “COOP – The Myth, the Man, the Legend!”

As of Sunday afternoon, the GoFundMe page had raised $4,005 and those fundraising efforts remain active. The funds raised will be used for Cooper’s final expenses and will also assist Schippers with her ongoing living expenses.

Island resident and Anchor Inn patron Robert Docherty knew Cooper well.

“I’ve been telling people at the Anchor Inn the story of one of the many times Coop and I played pool at the Anchor. Coop was a pro pool player – me, just a sometimes lucky amateur. We were down to the eight ball and Coop told me to hit a certain spot on the rail to do a multiple rail bank. I hit the rail where he indicated and made the shot. He smiled and said, ‘Now you can say you beat me.’ Anytime I’d run into him he’d smile, compliment the shirt I happened to be wearing and say it would look better on him. Those conversations would make me smile,” Docherty recently wrote in a Facebook post about Cooper’s worsening condition.

Island legend Bob “Coop” Cooper passes away
Bob “Coop” Cooper enjoyed boating and fishing with friends. – Submitted

Cooper was a maintenance man at the Club Longboat beach and tennis resort in Longboat Key.

“They loved him there. He was like their son. He would do anything and fix anything even if it wasn’t under the auspices of his duties,” said Caryn Hodge, his good friend and former girlfriend of 10 years.

Hodge said Cooper’s been a familiar figure on Anna Maria Island for at least 40 years.

“He lived life the way he wanted to live and he liked to party. He’d walk in the bar and people would holler ‘Coop,’” Hodge said the week before Cooper passed. “He has a heart of gold. He’d give you the last dime in his pocket.”

According to Hodge, Cooper was also a local hero.

“Many years ago, there were two older people in a car headed north on Marina Drive, near the marina basin. Something happened and their car went into the water. Coop happened to be passing by and he jumped out, with a cast on leg, and jumped in the water and saved these two old people. He was hailed as a hero. I was at the Anchor waiting on him and he was late. When he got there, I was mad because he was late. He said, “I had to save two old people from drowning.’ I said that’s a great story, but I’m not believing you. Then I saw the news coverage,” Hodge recalled.

Hodge said Cooper liked to collect and repair other people’s discarded items – many of which he would then give to those in need.

“He was always trying to help people,” Hodge said.

“He worked really hard. In his time off he loved boating, fishing with friends and playing golf; and he liked his beer,” she added.

Hodge said some of the volunteers at Tidewell Hospice were amazed at the number of visitors Cooper received during his short stay there.

Former Island resident Tracy Eckert said, “Coop was one of the first people I met when I moved to Anna Maria Island 18 years ago. He jokingly said to me, ‘Rumor has it you’re a federal agent.’ With that witty sense of humor, I bonded with him right away. I loved how he provided the Anchor Inn with a library of books that people could take and read. I took many of those books over the years. I never heard a bad word said about him. He was truly one of the good guys.”

Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino said, “Coop was my neighbor and I knew him for a long time. He was a staple of the Island and a good guy who always had a funny joke to share.”