Community Corner

Funeral Thursday for Cooper Salsberry, 6th-Grade Hockey Goalie

A memorial fund has been created, and friends at Van Hoosen Middle School are invited to add to a special display at the school.

Counselors and members of the Rochester Community Schools' Critical Incident Team will be available all day Monday at , where students are mourning the weekend death of sixth-grade friend Cooper Salsberry.

Cooper, 12, park. He had been running laps with baseball teammates; the cause of death was not known, though an autopsy was planned.

Van Hoosen opened on Sunday afternoon for students to come in and talk to counselors. On Monday, counselors would be made readily available again to students, according to Principal Michael Behrmann, who sent an email to parents Sunday.

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"Please know that if, at any time, a student needs to see a grief counselor he/she will have access to our trained staff members that are assisting," Behrmann stated.

A hockey victory for goalie Cooper

Cooper was a goalie for the Troy Sting, a Troy Youth Hockey Association team.  On Friday, Cooper played in his last game, in which he had a shutout. On Sunday, the team played in the Spring Scramble tournament, which they won.

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"The Salsberry family has been very active in TYHA for many years," read a statement on the hockey association website. "As we know hockey families are supportive and come together in times of need. Please take a moment to pray for the Salsberry family."

Cooper's dad, John Salsberry, is the team's coach.

Two memorials

A memorial fund has been created in Cooper's name. Money can be sent to: J. Cooper Salsberry Memorial Fund, c/o Merrill Lynch, Attn. Jennifer Kreutzer, 39577 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

In addition, a temporary memorial will be created in the Van Hoosen lobby, according to Behrmann. It will be on display through Friday for students, staff and parents to view, write on and add photos to. After, the items will be given to Cooper's family.

Cooper is survived by his dad, John, his mom, Kerrie, and siblings Bella, Lily and Conner.

Visitation, funeral

Visitation is planned for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Modetz Funeral Home Silverbell Chapel, 100 East Silverbell Road, in Orion.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Kensington Community Church, 1825 E. Square Lake Road, in Troy. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery in Pendleton, Indiana.


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