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Families Of Missing Boaters Met With Sole Survivor

News Channel 8 photo by WALLY PATANOW

Bruce Cooper, father of Marquis Cooper, said he asked Schuyler questions about what happened on the night the boat capsized.

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By SAMARA SODOS

slsodos@wfla.com

Published: March 9, 2009

Before hundreds of mourners gathered at Crystal River church Saturday to remember missing boater Will Bleakley, the families of two of the other missing boaters met with the sole survivor of a boating accident to find some answers.

Bruce Cooper, father of Marquis Cooper, said Monday that the family members of Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith met with Nick Schuyler, the only person to survive the Feb. 28th fishing expedition. Cooper said the meeting took place at the home of a friend of Will Bleakley's in Crystal River, prior to Saturday's memorial service.

The families wanted to meet away from all the distractions, before the service began, Cooper said.

"We all exchanged condolences," Cooper said.

Cooper said he asked Schuyler questions about what happened on the night the boat capsized.
"We wanted to know what went on and what everyone was thinking. We were interested in his state of mind on everything."

Cooper said what Schuyler told the families is private and it is up to Schuyler to decide whether to share his story with the public.

"I'll let him tell you. He tried answering the questions the best he could,'' Cooper said. "I want to be respectful and I thought it was commendable of him to show up."

Cooper said the 20 minute meeting was more fact-finding in nature than emotional.

Bruce Cooper, a sportscaster for a Phoenix TV station, said he planned to stay in Tampa through the rest of the week. The family did not plan on holding any memorial service for Marquis but appreciated all the prayers and support from the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

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