In Memory Of
Philip J. Harper
1949
2023
Philip J. Harper
August 12, 1949 — February 1, 2023
Niskayuna - Philip J. Harper, 73, known to many as "Hooper," passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Philip was born in Albany, NY on August 12, 1949. He was the son of the late Joseph Harper and Nora (Keogh) Harper and the youngest of four children.
Philip attended Saint Joseph's Academy and received a Bachelor's degree from Empire State College. He retired from the NYS Health Department after 45 years of dedicated Civil Service. He was the lead investigator on the NYS Love Canal Task Force and was instrumental in the research completed. After retiring from NYS, he discovered a love of drawing and painting, creating numerous pieces under the pseudonym "Thermos Motely." Philip enjoyed watching and gambling on sports with his family and created the gambling website Hooperpicks.com (Get rich today). He was a diehard fan of the New York Yankees and Detroit Lions. He enjoyed attending his children's youth sports events and coached many of their teams.
Philip had a unique ability to make everyone in the room laugh at any time and always had a trivia question ready at a moment's notice. He enjoyed bowling and golf for many years. He also was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved spending time at his camp in the Adirondacks.
Philip is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sandy (Shields) Harper; his children Shannon, Joseph, and Ryan; his sister Anne Sheehan; sister-in-law, Lori Shields; and his nieces and nephews, the late Michael (Genevieve) Sheehan, Maura (John) Barrett, Sean (Tina) Sheehan, Teige (Becca) Sheehan, Siobhan (Travis) Rosencranse, Abby Shields, Michael Shields, and Kyle (Emily) Cooper.
He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law, Bob Sheehan and Gary Shields; his sisters, Mary and Margaret Harper; and his nephew, Jack Shields.
Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY 12189 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1pm to 4pm. A funeral mass will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 9:00 am at St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 1803 Union Street, Niskayuna, New York 12309. Burial will be held privately by the family.
Those who wish to remember Phil in a special way may make a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
Philip attended Saint Joseph's Academy and received a Bachelor's degree from Empire State College. He retired from the NYS Health Department after 45 years of dedicated Civil Service. He was the lead investigator on the NYS Love Canal Task Force and was instrumental in the research completed. After retiring from NYS, he discovered a love of drawing and painting, creating numerous pieces under the pseudonym "Thermos Motely." Philip enjoyed watching and gambling on sports with his family and created the gambling website Hooperpicks.com (Get rich today). He was a diehard fan of the New York Yankees and Detroit Lions. He enjoyed attending his children's youth sports events and coached many of their teams.
Philip had a unique ability to make everyone in the room laugh at any time and always had a trivia question ready at a moment's notice. He enjoyed bowling and golf for many years. He also was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved spending time at his camp in the Adirondacks.
Philip is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sandy (Shields) Harper; his children Shannon, Joseph, and Ryan; his sister Anne Sheehan; sister-in-law, Lori Shields; and his nieces and nephews, the late Michael (Genevieve) Sheehan, Maura (John) Barrett, Sean (Tina) Sheehan, Teige (Becca) Sheehan, Siobhan (Travis) Rosencranse, Abby Shields, Michael Shields, and Kyle (Emily) Cooper.
He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law, Bob Sheehan and Gary Shields; his sisters, Mary and Margaret Harper; and his nephew, Jack Shields.
Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY 12189 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1pm to 4pm. A funeral mass will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 9:00 am at St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 1803 Union Street, Niskayuna, New York 12309. Burial will be held privately by the family.
Those who wish to remember Phil in a special way may make a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Philip J. Harper, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, February 5, 2023
1:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)
New Comer Cremations & Funerals
Funeral mass
Monday, February 6, 2023
Starts at 9:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
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