Richard F. (Dick) Kopacz
March 24, 1939-April 4, 2013
Richard F. (Dick) Kopacz of Cornwall entered into rest on Thursday, April 4 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. He was 74.
The son of the late Francis J. and Ida Yanofsky Kopacz, he was born on March 24, 1939 in Springfield, Vt.
Richard received his Master’s Degree from Columbia University in the Master’s Degree Program for Executives. He was a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. He was the General Manager of Arden Conference Centers for 28 years, and worked there for 47 years.
Richard coached many Cornwall basketball and softball teams, and also umpired for the girl’s softball league. He coached Orange County ASA softball in the 1970’s, and was inducted into the Mid-Hudson Bowling Hall of Fame and scored a 300 game and 812 series during his career.
He was a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Grace, at home; five children: Kathleen Kopacz of Gainesville, Fla.; Michael Kopacz of Lake Mary, Fla.; Richard E. Kopacz of Cornwall; Roger Kopacz and wife Gail of Anchorage, Alaska; and Susan Keesling and husband James of Alachua, Fla.; five grandchildren: Nicole Kopacz, Trey Keesling, Victoria Gonsalves, Kevin and Ari Kopacz; two great-grandsons: Omni and KC Kopacz; brother David Kopacz and wife Barbara of Buford, Ga.; brother-in-law David Weyant and wife Iva of Lockport, Ill.; and nephews: Ian Kopacz and wife Jen, Justin Kopacz and Will Weyant.
The family received visitors on Monday, April 8 at James F. Lulves Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 9 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church. Interment followed in St. Thomas Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Running Strong for American Indian Youth, www.indianyouth.org; Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org; or Autism Society of America, www.autism-society.org.