Born at Winnipeg on 28 October 1926, one of four children of Jascha “Jack” Coop (1903-1937) and Rose Zeitlin (c1901-1999), he received degrees in Architecture from the University of Manitoba (1948) and the Illinois Institute of Technology (1953).
He practiced as an architect with Green Blankstein Russell and Associates (1953-1956) and later a founding member of the firm that became Number TEN Architectural Group. He was responsible for designing several buildings at the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba, including the University Centre Student Union Building. He also designed the Royal Trust Tower, Rupertsland Square office complex, and the Provincial Law Courts in Winnipeg, as well as the Fieldhouse Gymnasium for the University of Winnipeg. He was President of the Manitoba Association of Architects (1963-1964) and President and Chief Executive Officer for the North Portage Development Corporation (1984-1991).
On 11 July 1951, he married interior designer Cynthia Lauren Bookbinder (1929-2024) at the Royal Alexandra Hotel and they subsequently had a daughter and two sons.
He died at Winnipeg on 29 November 2003.
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Carter House (251 Harvard Avenue, Winnipeg)
Manitoba Business: Waisman Ross and Associates / Blankstein Coop Gillmor and Hanna / Number TEN Architectural Group
Death registration [Jacob Coop], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Obituary [Jascha Coop], Winnipeg Tribune, 2 February 1937, page 13.
“Engagements,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 June 1951, page 17.
Obituary [Rose Zeitlin], Winnipeg Free Press, 27 April 1999, page 42.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 6 December 2003.
Obituary [Cynthia Lauren Coop], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 February 2024.
We thank the Manitoba Association of Architects for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 16 August 2025
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