Peter M. Kopanon, 91, of Essex, passed away unexpectedly in his home on June 1. He was the husband of the late Helen L. (Story) Kopanon with whom he shared fifty years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester on November 5, 1928, he was the son of the late Michael and Camille (Massura) Kopanon. Peter served in the U.S. Army in Munich, West Germany during the Korean Conflict, after which he joined the Registry of Motor Vehicles, retiring as Deputy Registrar in 1991.
A resident of Essex for sixty-five years, Peter took enormous pride in looking after his home. He tended his vegetable gardens and apple trees, and over the years raised sheep, cattle, ponies, chickens, turkeys, geese, and bees. Until his death, he was known to work on several projects at once and rarely sat idle. He never failed to put aside whatever he was doing to help his friends, neighbors, and family. Peter was a true gentleman with a love of conversation, inherent curiosity, and boundless generosity.
Peter's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his four children, eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Michael and Kathleen (O'Shea) Kopanon of Essex and their children Andrew, Stephen, Meghan and Collin; Peter and Catherine (McDermott) Kopanon of Wisconsin their children Elisabeth Driscoll, her husband Dave, Jeffrey, his wife Marissa, Caroline Murphy, her husband Jack, Christine King, her husband Nik, and Peter, their grandchildren, Elaina, William, Hannah and Maya; Lucinda and Thomas Foley of Nantucket, their children Melissa Marti, her husband John, Micaela, Kathleen, and Bridget, their grandchildren Samuel and James; and Kimball Kopanon of Essex. Peter is also survived by his sister, Stella Gallant of Winchester and brother, Nicholas Kopanon of Florida, many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Jocko. He was predeceased by his brothers, Christopher and A. Michael Kopanon. Peter also enjoyed many longtime friends and neighbors with whom he was especially close.
In keeping with his wishes, services and interment will be private. To send a condolence to his family please visit whittier-porter.com.
