When Calvin Cooper passed away in August, the news might have slipped away unnoticed. He had no one to claim the task of laying him to rest. But Calvin had a circle—a kind of family he built week after week at La Crosse’s WAFER Food Pantry.
When he passed, the team at WAFER shared this sentiment on Facebook, “We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Calvin Cooper. As we reflect on the many memories we shared with him, we are reminded of the joy and passion he brought to our workplace. Calvin brought an immense amount of dedication and laughter, and we will all remember his infectious smile, playful teasing, and the countless funny t-shirts he wore to work. He had a way of making everyone feel like a friend, and he will be greatly missed by all of us. As his WAFER family, we will forever cherish the time we had with him.”
And then they rallied together and planned a prayer service to honor Calvin’s life. Sister Laurie Sullivan, operations manager, and several WAFER volunteers coordinated every detail from contacting the cremation service, to donating the flowers, paying the unpaid balance of the cost of the cremation and writing the prayer and hosting the service.
The team and volunteers (pictured above), gathered in prayer. Sister Laurie shares her heartfelt memorial prayer service below.
Thank you for coming to celebrate the incredible life of our beloved Calvin.
We're here to remember his infectious laugh, his homemade goodies, his funny t-shirt and most importantly
his love he showered on all of us. He knew no stranger, as everyone became a friend.
But today, as I look at all of you, all of us, I think he left behind so much more.
Beautiful memories, a lifetime of smiles and people that loved him dearly.
Today, I invite you to use this time together to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Calvin.
Listen to the stories and join in the music.
Add your own memories, send healing thoughts of love and sympathy as you share with others.
Lord, we look to you today to provide peace and comfort in our memories of Calvin.
Fill us with the hope that is rooted in your promise of everlasting life for those who love you,
a promise sealed by the power of Jesus’ victory over death.
Be close to us now, dear Lord, as we remember and grieve together.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Together we sing, "Amazing Grace."
Together we pray the Psalm 23:
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Your rod and you staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Together we share a picture, a story, or a memory.
The Bible tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” We remember that Calvin was a precious gift
from our Heavenly Father,and we are thankful for that gift in our lives.
Calvin, you were someone we trusted, someone we depended on, someone we laughed with,
someone who made work feel more human. Thank you for everything.
You’ll be remembered for far more than what you did-you’ll be remembered for who you were to us.
Together we sing, "Thank you for being a friend."
Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down a road and back again
Your heart is true
You're a pal and a confidant
And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say...
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Today, Calvin’s baseball cap rests at WAFER as a reminder of his service to the organization and the light he brought with him. It’s in moments like these when we realize that family isn’t just who you’re born to. Sometimes it’s the people who see you, remember you and carry you home when the time comes.