By Shirley Ng, AsAmNews Staff Writer
Popular among his students, dubbed “Best Principal,” Samuel Cooper sadly passed Sunday morning at the age of 93. He died of heart failure.
For over three decades, Cooper taught in New York Chinatown public schools putting a smile on his student’s faces. He never thought he would become a teacher.
He enjoyed teaching so much he told AsAmNews in an interview last month during his birthday party that he would have ” done the job for nothing.”
![](https://asamnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cooper-Samuel-birthday-1024x701.jpg)
Some students shared their sadness when they learned of his passing.
LATEST STORIES
![](https://asamnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cooper-reaction.jpg)
![](https://asamnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cooper-reaction1.jpg)
He was loved by many and certainly made an impact on the children of Chinatown. He loved them and they loved him back.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 19 in Manhattan at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel. Shiva will be held on Wednesday, October 20 and Sunday, October 24.
Mr. Cooper lived a long and happy life. He is survived by his son and grandson. His wife Barbara Cooper died several years earlier.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story or making a contribution.
Thank you, Shirley❤💕
Mr. Cooper also left behind a daughter-in-law and granddaughter.