Richard Mark Cooley

Richard Mark Cooley, 75, of Bristow, Virginia, passed away on September 22, 2022. He was born on July 19, 1947, in Putnam, Connecticut, to Francis and Rosalie (Ayers) Cooley. Rick, as he was known to his family and friends, left his small-town home in Connecticut to attend Providence College. While there, he met the love of his life, Rita Short, at a dance. After marrying Rita and serving his country in the U.S. Army, Rick moved his family to the D.C.-area and enjoyed a long career in the federal government, including at the Office of Personnel Management, Radio Martí, the United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Following his retirement from federal service, Rick joined a government-contracting firm to continue providing human-capital and human-resources expertise to the government. Although Rick took pride in his military and civilian service, his family and friends will remember him foremost for his strong Catholic faith, his love of family, and his passion for coaching soccer. Rick was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Virginia. Previously, he was an active member of St. Andrew the Apostle’s Church in Clifton, Virginia, and St. Joseph’s Church in Herndon, Virginia, where, consistent with his life-long devotion to protecting the unborn, he helped to found the pro-life group. Rick did not keep his Catholic faith to himself, instead he shared it with his family and friends. Rick made many sacrifices to ensure his children were educated in the Catholic faith that he loved so much. He became a dedicated supporter of Seton School in Manassas, Virginia, enduring a long daily work commute to ensure his children received the Catholic education it offered, and serving on the Seton School Board of Directors for several years. He also delighted in seeing a significant number of his grandchildren attend Seton. Anyone who spoke to Rick for more than a few minutes heard him talk about his large family of six daughters and one son, which was so important to him. Although many people downsize in retirement, Rick moved to a substantially larger home so that the family (with an ever-increasing number of grandchildren) could comfortably gather together for holidays and other celebrations. Rick, who was a huge sports fan, drove innumerable miles, so that he could enjoy countless sporting events in which his children and grandchildren participated. Although Rick followed many sports and welcomed any opportunity to discuss or debate the qualities of particular athletes and teams, soccer occupied a special place in his heart. As his children began to play soccer, he became a student of the game and obtained his coaching license. During his nearly twenty-year coaching career, Rick coached all of his children and several travel soccer teams. The highlight of his coaching career was his time leading the girls' varsity team at Seton School, where he received numerous accolades and repeatedly led his team to conference championships. Although he liked to win, it was more important to Coach Cooley that he taught his players to love the game and to develop habits for success that would benefit them well beyond the pitch. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years, Rita Mary Cooley; his children: Martha, Melissa (Robert), Jason (Jean), Michaela (Joseph), Shannon (Anthony), Deirdre (Kody), and Bridgit (Zachary); his forty-two grandchildren; his two great-grandchildren; and his brothers: Herbert and Craig Cooley. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and his grandson Bosco Joseph Paul Cooper. A viewing will be held for Richard from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Pierce Funeral Home (9609 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia 20110), with the Rosary starting at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155). Burial will follow immediately after Mass at 12:00 PM at Stonewall Memory Gardens (12004 Lee Highway, Manassas, Virginia 20109). In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in loving memory of Richard Mark Cooley to Texas Alliance for Life , 8000 Centre Park Dr., Suite 380, Austin, Texas 78754 or Seton School , 9314 Maple St., Manassas, Virginia 20110-5118

Richard Mark Cooley

July 19, 1947 - September 22, 2022