John B. Coppolino, 89, long time resident of Boalsburg, died Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at Fairways of Brookline Village in State College.
Born on September 22, 1922, in Chicago, IL and raised in Mount Pleasant, PA, he was a son of the late Anthony and Jean (Caletri) Coppolino.
On October 28, 1944, he married Frances G. (Rock) Coppolino in Bangor, ME, who preceded in him in death on September 12, 2008.
John was a 1951 Penn State graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Horticulture.
Mr. Coppolino honorably served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He and his wife Frances were co-owners of the Jay Bee Landscape Nursery in Boalsburg from 1957 until 1972. He was employed for over 40 years serving in different capacities at Penn State University. John retired as a Project Manager in the Plant Pathology department at Penn State.
John was a long time member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College and the Knights of Columbus Council 4678. He enjoyed volunteering for the Special Olympics, serving as a Boy Scout leader and as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 380 in Boalsburg, hunting, fishing, and gardening, but most importantly, he cherished time spent with family.
He is survived by a daughter, Jeanne Snyder and her husband Kenneth R. of Cedar Rapids, IA; a son, John A. Coppolino and his wife Joyce A. Marshall of Port Matilda; five grandchildren: Eric Snyder of Port Matilda, Nikki Murphy of Spring Mills, Carolyn Snyder of Beech Creek, Chris Snyder of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jennifer Shook of Pittsburgh; seven great grandchildren; and three brothers: Vincent Coppolino and his wife Betty of Lake Lynn, PA, Joseph Coppolino and his wife Janet of Saginaw, MI, and Frank Christopher and his wife Joan of Ocala, FL.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Monday, December 19, 2011 at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, beginning at 10:30 AM, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College with Msgr. David Lockhard officiating. Interment will be at Centre County Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Home Instead Nursing Care and to the Staff at the Fairways at Brookline for the care provided to John.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics, 2610-B Clyde Avenue, State College, PA 16801 or to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com