Any updates on Alex Cooper?

[Clockworkhigh]

This was the one where an elderly man vanished without a trace despite spottings of him. In the update he resurfaced and it was told that in 1948 he was accused of a crime he did not commit. He fled, changed his name, and then married 4 years later. His wife, and kids knew nothing about his past life. When all was said and done, Alex was approaching his 65th birthday. He was eligible for a pension but could not provide a birth certificate so he fled not wanting his family to know anything about his past.

He was later found and while the charges against him were reportedly dropped back in 1948 (without him knowing) he seemingly had no reason to leave his family in the first place since they seemed to slowly start to accept things with him again, hence slowly by the looks of it.

Here is my questions:

1) Alex's wife Margaret seemed like a nice woman. But I have to wonder how did someone not know about his past? He obviously would have had parents, siblings etc right? Wouldnt Margaret not want to meet his family and know about his roots? I know my wife's history. Her parents are both still alive and so are her siblings. If she went under a different name and vanished at one time I think I would have heard about it by now.

2) How is abadoning your family better than having them find out a shady detail about your past? Let them find out and then start to accept things again, don't leave and torture them with not knowing where their father/husband is

3) Does anyone know how the Cooper family is coping now? Alex and Margaret might not be alive anymore since they were getting old, although it is still possible they both are alive. But how did the family come back together? Were they ever the same again?

[Oldschooler81]

Good question, I've thought about this alot too.

I think in the old days, it was a bit easier to do things like change your name, since they didn't do as many background checks. He was a pretty young guy, so he probably panicked and thought he'd just do it really quick and it would be overwith, and not investigated. Especially as the years went on, he probably got more and more comfortable.

Maybe his family covered for him, and said his name was always Alex, although that's kinda far fetched. Good point though.

Yeah, he was turning 65 back in 1987...so he'd be like 87 years old today. I hope he's still alive.

[Clockworkhigh]

Yeah I agree that would be a stretch to say the least with his family covering for him. You'd thinkhis wife and him would even unintentionally run into an old co-worker or school mate at times in their marriage.

But then again I do not know the whole story. Maybe Alex was an only child, maybe he abandoned his parents and they died, who knows. It doesnt say much in that segment about that. I am just speculating. But I know my wife's roots very well. I know her family and friends and people that knew her when she was born or who went to school with her. Even if she was lying to me about everything (which Cooper would have done) I would have found tons of holes in her stories by now.

I don't know, I often wonder how much in this segment is not covered. Just a thought

[Mastermind]

2) How is abadoning your family better than having them find out a shady detail about your past? Let them find out and then start to accept things again, don't leave and torture them with not knowing where their father/husband is

1. The authorities may not be the only people that Alex had to worry about. Robbery victims, accomplices and rival criminals could be living as well and may want to find means to get back at him or his loved ones. If Alex was still alive, they certainly could as well. Grudges last a long time. Especially if someone is still in jail while Alex is free to live his life.

2. Shame is a hard thing to live with. Alex probably couldn't bear to face up to this. I could easily see how Alex would rather his family remember him dead or missing as the person he was, rather than the new person he would be come if he told them.

3. There are a lot of legal ramifications to Alex's true name and identity being revealed. If I was a life insurance company, i would have some legal grounds to refuse paying a claim if Alex died. Anyone who wanted to pursue a lawsuit against him, would have this ammunition. Alex could also potentially lose his business if it came to light that he was a criminal.

1) Alex's wife Margaret seemed like a nice woman. But I have to wonder how did someone not know about his past? He obviously would have had parents, siblings etc right? Wouldnt Margaret not want to meet his family and know about his roots? I know my wife's history. Her parents are both still alive and so are her siblings. If she went under a different name and vanished at one time I think I would have heard about it by now.

Hey, Philip Breen hid his identity from his wife, how hard could it be.

I think it would be pretty easy for Alex to avoid the topic of his family.

1. There;s nothing wrong with Alex still keeping his photos of his real mother and father and siblings. Those photos don't have his real name on them. He could even use his families real first names and tell true stories about them.

2. Considering WW2, disease, great depression, Alex had plenty of excuses for his family. Mom? Oh, she died during childbirth. Father? Died of a heart attack, My only sibling? Died on Normandy during D-Day? Never found his remains. She would probably only have questions regarding his immediate family. You'd be surprised how many people don;t interact with their cousins or uncles.

3. Would it really be that hard for Alex to hire someone to be his long lost nephew Joey? Heck he could get an old criminal accomplice to do that.

4. Alex completely left his criminal life when married to his wife. His wife would only be suspicious if he was continuing to be be a criminal while they were married. If he's living his life as a civilian, she would have no reason to be suspicious. She would probably have thought that Alex ran away from home as the reason that he never talks about his family.

5. His background and family are really only a problem during the courtship phase of their relationship. If she believe him enough to marry him, the coast is pretty much clear after that. Was she really going to bring up his lack of family during their 25th year of marriage?\

6. Love makes you do stupid things. If your charming enough, visually appealing and *ahem* well endowed, you'd be surprised what some guys and gals will overlook.
I imagine I could be a serial axe murderer on the run and still find a womea willing to marry me and not ask questions.

[sdb4884]

Alex Cooper looks so much like Benjamin Kingsley


http://images.movie-gazette.com/gall...n+kingsley.jpg

[Clockworkhigh]

Bumping an old thread here. I can imagine that Alex's wife would now look back and see a million signs that pointed to him lying to her. But at the time, probably not. Although it still sounds strange that all of those years something didn't come back and bite him.

I am assuming Alex figured he was safe as long as he didn't turn 65 and have to apply for old age - thus providing his birth certificate. But the thing that baffles me, is that after his death if he didn't make it to 65, there would no doubt be something swirling around his past life that his family would find out. So yeah, he's dead and doesn't have to face the music anymore but would he not have cared that his family would find out about his double life and have absolutely no way of getting answers or hearing his side? They would probably have a far worse opinion of him then

[WishfulDreamer]

I think he made a hasty decision without realizing how upset his family would be if he disappeared. He probably thought, "I'm in trouble and I can't bear to tell them that I've lied all these years." He could have thought that he would still go to jail and be charged and that would upset his family and that skipping town on it before would make it hard to prove that he was innocent.

It wasn't a good choice, but I'm still glad they forgave him and it all worked out.

[Necco]

Sometimes, it's just so hard and so embarrassing to admit you were wrong.

[Clockworkhigh]

Originally Posted by Necco

Sometimes, it's just so hard and so embarrassing to admit you were wrong.

Although this case is a good example of how a lie on top of another lie will only snowball. His wife seemed genuine when she said something along the lines of "whatever he did in his life, its time for him to come home." As much as it would have hurt, surely that's better than taking off.

[ernmerica]

In related news, his daughter finally shaved that mustache of hers.

[rhzunam]

Originally Posted by ernmerica

In related news, his daughter finally shaved that mustache of hers.

Sorry but this made me LOL.

[luvzjohn101]

Originally Posted by rhzunam

Sorry but this made me LOL.

Me too!

[scc1222]

I suspect he just wanted to leave anyway,and this was as good an excuse as any.he had to have known by then that his family would have forgiven him and it would have been no big deal to them.they probably would have helped him to figure it all out.and I can't beleive he wouldn't have talked to a lawyer before running off,if he hadn't really wanted to leave.some simple legal advice would have done the trick,if that were the case..he would have found out there were no valid charges against him anymore.jmo.

[The Gov]

Did a 'net search for Alexander Cooper Cranbrook and eventually found this:

COOPER, Alexander
Dad, one of 6 sons, was born in Summerside PEI to Philip and Zelie
Arsenault. Though his youngest brother, Philip, died as a young child, with
the rest of his brothers, Ernest, Dona, John, and Edward they were
hardworking boys. Also a musician, Dad entertained at dances and community
events as a young man. The music of Hank Snow influenced Dad's personal
style so much so that once he was asked to fill in for Hank on a radio show
in Montreal; no one listening knew the difference. Dad charmed Mom (Margaret
(Depeel) with his singing, stories, and zest for life and they were married
in 1952. Mom passed away in 1996. All of us kids, Linda, Wayne, Liela,
Laura, and Alexandria were raised with Dad's appreciation for music and
enjoyed many opportunities to perform as a family in church and around the
community. He would astound and delight us and his and friends with his
skill at yodeling, especially around the campfire. Dad had great pride and
joy in his grandchildren; Melanie, Laura, Jesse, and Rachel, his
step-grandchildren; Zebulon and Lucas, and his great grandchildren; Eric,
Caitlin, Ryan and Connor. His daughter and sons in law, Peter, Lynn, James,
and Bucky each added dimensions to the richness of Dad's life.
For 35 years Dad was a great enthusiast and fan of the Kimberley Pipe Band.
He enjoyed many sing along band parties and events. Robbie Burns nights were
especially memorable for him.
Fishing was always a large part of Dad's life and in his later years many
dear friendships were born of the yearly spring pilgrimage to Premier Lake.
Dad loved these trips, and his friends, and we want to thank Bucky for
making this possible for him. Dad is survived by his faithful and spoiled
dog, Tramp, and the many fish he never caught.
Cecile Bolduc was Dad's partner in his later years. Near the end of her
life, Dad cared for her with great kindness, affection and tenderness. It
was these same characteristics that endeared Dad to many who came in contact
with him. Among these were his "special girls", Bonnie, Gerri, Margo, and
Sharon, who held a dear place in his heart. He affectionately called these
women his daughters.
In the months preceding his cancer diagnosis, Dad endured excruciating and
uncontrolled pain. In watching him pace the floor night after night, we
realized his incredible strength. Throughout the two months of his
hospitalization, we have found great solace in the stories his care
providers at the EKRH and the Pines have shared with us about Dad's sense of
humor, his sweetness, and his gratitude for all they did for him, regardless
of whether or not it hurt.
Dad took great pride in the diversity of each of his children's
accomplishments. Though our father taught us many lessons, the greatest of
these were our understanding of hard work and the importance of forgiveness.
The man that he was will resonate with all who knew him long after he is
gone.
Dad has requested that there be no service so the next time you are at
Premier Lake drop a line on Dad's behalf. Donations in celebration of Alex's
life can be made to the Kimberley Special Care Home "The Pines".
We, his children, will be having an Open House to celebrate Dad's life on
Sunday October 7th 2007 from 1-4pm at the home of Laura Cooper at 276-306th
Avenue, Marysville. Please join us.

[TheCars1986]

What crime did he commit again? IIRC, it wasn't even that serious to go on the run and fake a disappearance.