Estelle Cooper Dead At 82

Estelle Cooper

Embattled former Flushing Meadows Corona Park Administrator Estelle Cooper died over the weekend, according to Sinai Chapels in Fresh Meadows.

  In addition to her role as park administrator, Cooper was also the executive director of its nonprofit fundraising conservancy, Unisphere Inc. In July, Cooper was arraigned by Queens DA Richard Brown on a two-count indictment, charging her with second- and third-degree grand larceny.

  Cooper had been under investigation since early 2012, when irregularities were discovered in the conservancy's financial records. She resigned as executive director of Unisphere Inc. in January.

  Cooper ran for State Senate as a Republican in 1978 against Emanuel Gold and for Borough President in 1986 against Claire Shulman. She was defeated both times. In 1994, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani appointed her as an assistant parks commissioner and administrator for Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Upon her retirement, the Parks Dept. said that Cooper had brought many improvements to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, including new synthetic soccer fields and the Al Oerter Recreation Center.