NORWICH – Richard Hobert Cooley, 80, of Eustis, Fla, passed away on July 26, 2007 after a long illness at the Aventa Rehabilitation Center, Mt. Dora, Fla.  
 Born in Sidney on Sept. 30, 1926, Richard was the son of Helen (Pearsall) and Floyd Cooley.  He was educated in Norwich schools during World War II and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.  He was also a member of the Norwich Quarterback Hustlers 4-H Club. 
Formerly a long time resident of the Norwich area, he owned and operated a shoe and department store in Oxford and was member of the Oxford Rotary. In later years, he became a Real Estate Broker selling real estate in greater Chenango County area for forty years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge for over 30 years.
 He was an accomplished wood worker including refinishing furniture, caning chairs and had made countless numbers of wooden toys and lawn wirlygigs.  He donated and gave away many of his handcrafted toys.  Richard was an avid collector of antique marbles and at one time owned over 12,300 marbles that including a wide spectrum of types found at marble fairs, flea markets and garage sales.  He was a member of the Society of Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America and was a member of the Methodist Church in Norwich. 
 He is survived by his wife Joyce Crawford Cook Cooley: his son David O. Cooley and his daughter-in-law Jackie Beckwith Cooley of Brandon, Fla.; his three grandchildren: Michael, Matthew and Carissa Cooley of Brandon, Fla.; his step daughter Laurie Copenhaver of Eustis, Fla. and his special step-grandchildren Shannon Michaels of Mamers, N.C., Troy Copenhaver of Eustis, Fla. and  several other step-grandchildren; one special step-greatgrandson Derick Michaels of Mamers, NC, and several other step-greatgrandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law:  Raymond and Marylie Cooley of Norwich; and sister-in-law Mardith Cooley of Hillsboro, Texas;  his brother-in-law and his wife: Rodney and Sharon Crawford; sisters-in-law and their husbands: Luanna and John Weyrauch, and Lorraine and Roger Jeffrey all of Norwich, Valerie and Don Streichert of Greenville, S.C, Cathy and John Hannibal of Grand Island; several nieces and nephews and cousins and friends.  He was predeceased by his former wife Mildred Nunweiler Cooley Kendall, his sister and brother-in-law: Florence Cooley and Philip Pike; his brothers and his sister-in-law: Robert and Virginia Faye Cooley; Norman and June Cooley; and his brother Gerald Cooley; most recently his aunt Ella Pearsall, 104, Norwich,; and his uncle Ansel Cooley, 91, Highpoint, N.C.
 At the request of the deceased there will be no calling hours or funeral service.  The Interment will be at the Maplewood Cemetery, Mt. Upton, at the convenience of the family.
 The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Brookfield, Post Office Box 6, Academy & Elm Sts., Brookfield, NY 13314.