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Joseph A. Coppola Jr.

1949 - 2013

Joseph A. Coppola Jr. obituary, 1949-2013, Mullica Hill, NJ

BORN

1949

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Gardner Funeral Home, Runnemede

126 S. Black Horse Pike

Runnemede, New Jersey

Joseph Coppola Obituary

Joseph A. Coppola Jr.

AGE: 63 • Mullica Hill

Joseph A. Coppola Jr., on July 5, 2013, of Mullica Hill formerly of Camden and Williamstown. Age 63. Life partner of 34 years to Gary Lawrence. Loving son of the late Joseph and Madeline. Also survived by a host of relatives and friends. Joseph was a member of NEA and NJEA. Joseph was an English teacher with Gloucester Catholic High School and retired in 2006 with the Cherry Hill Board of Education. Joseph touched the lives of thousands of students and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation Thursday from 6 to 8pm at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNMEMDE. Memorial Service 8pm at the funeral home. Interment is private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joseph's name to

the Associated Humane Societies, Popcorn Park, P.O. Box 50, Forked River, NJ 08731. Family and friends may share memories at www.GardnerFuneralHome.com.

Published by Courier Post on Jul. 7, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Coppola

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Can't believe its been 9 years since we lost our friend. I'm sure he's watching us from above and proud of what memories he left behind.

John Dawson

Friend

July 1, 2022

May all of Joe's cherished friends, youthful and not so youthful, be sustained by these beautiful memories..Joe your life is being celebrated by all who loved you. ..Brainerd&Carusi's loss was West's gain....you will be so missed by the breakfast club, the book clubs and the lunch bunch at West...Love to Gary and I loved holding your hand. Jeanne Kiefner

Jeanne Kiefner

July 20, 2013

Mr. Coppola, one of the best teachers I had in the Cherry Hill School System. He treated students as human beings and was there when you needed to talk. He will be.greatly missed.

stefanie McGowan

July 12, 2013

Joe and I graduated from BE Prep and Saint Joe's College together. My wife went to Camden Catholic and also knew Joe. Our condolences. Frank and Nancy Croce

July 11, 2013

Tamara (MacKay) Kimler

July 11, 2013

Deeply saddened by the passing of Joe. He was a kind, compassionate caring person, and wonderful teacher. He was my English Teacher in Gloucester Catholic H.S. back in 1974. I always looked forward to going to his class. He made learning, fun, and he genuinely cared about about each and every one of his students. He will be forever missed, and fondly remembered. RIP, Joe.

Roxanne Donatucci Toppi

July 10, 2013

Joe was my late Mother Rita Saponare's first cousin and now joins her as a guardian angel in heaven. My condolences to Gary and family and friends.
Laura Saponare-Damm, Sewell, NJ

July 10, 2013

One of my all time favorite teachers, who taught me I could do well in English too, not just math. Rest in peace.

Benjamin Ostroff

July 10, 2013

Hands down the BEST teacher I ever had... I was a bad kid, a D student, and never cared much for school but in his class I got straight A's. He treated every student with Respect, no matter what kind of kid you were. And like I told my close friend and fellow student of Mr. Cappola's, "we were a joke to other teachers but in his class we were his 1 and 2 students" He knew how to get the best out of us, and if he did that for 2 troubled kids, I can only imagine what he meant to others. You'll forever be respected to the utmost in my heart Mr. Cappola, I just wish I had told you just how much you meant to me.....

Nick Cussat

July 9, 2013

Gary and the Coppola Family,
I am out of state and just learned about Joe. We shared many good times at Cherry Hill East and kept in touch at the holidays all the years. I loved his sense of humor!! We shall all miss him!

Peggy Beck Haines

July 9, 2013

Tracy Purdin

July 8, 2013

My cousin Joe was a cool guy. When I was removed from my family home because of abuse, Joe contacted me in my foster home. He took me out for lunch, we had hoagies. We sat and talked for a long time. He was so interested in my story and the secrets I'd had to hold onto all those years, he was so kind and concerned. And then he told that broken-hearted little girl something I've never forgotten....He said that he was so proud of me for speaking up...for defending myself and trying to help my siblings. He told me to never forget how brave I was. I never have. And I'll never forget his kind heart.

Joy Golden

July 8, 2013

I am so, so sorry and saddened to hear about our beloved Mr. Coppola's passing. He was my 8th grade English teacher in 1993-94 and probably my favorite teacher of all time - discussions I've had and posts I've read in the last two days confirm that I am not alone in feeling that way. I regret that I didn't try to get in touch with him in more recent years. May the fact that he touched SO many lives through his teaching help to ease some of the pain of his loss.

Tamara MacKay Kimler

July 8, 2013

Joe, you helped me in so many ways with teaching English when I never had before. I will always remember the laughs in E lounge and the day we trapped the cats under your house. You will always be with us in our hearts.

Marta DeGisi

July 8, 2013

Gary and Family,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Peace be with you!!!

Tammy & John Miller

July 8, 2013

An amazing inspiration to everyone he met.

Matt Feinberg

July 8, 2013

Mr.Coppola was an awesome teacher who touched many lives. RIP Mr. Coppola and you will be missed.Condolences to his family.

July 8, 2013

It's a sad day in life when there was that one teacher who influenced you in life more than any other person could have at your darkest time passes away... I know I don't talk much about, well much of anything, but Mr. Joseph Coppola was able to get through to me at one of my darkest times in life. He taught me to use my intelligence for good and not evil. He taught me to be a better person and always to challenge myself. He was truly a huge influence on my life and always pushed me to do bigger and better, even when I wasn't his student.... And when I got in trouble, somehow I was always sent to his classroom to be punished there, but writing for him wasn't a punishment- it was an experience every time in life. He wouldn't let me fail- and for that I'm internally grateful, because he helped to shape the woman I am today. Always striving for higher knowledge and always doing what I can to be bigger and better than I was before. And honestly, some of the antics that transpired in his classroom taught me that education can be fun. My fondest memory= write a 5 page story on whatever you want. In the beginning of the year, my story was a page and a half, when we were assigned the story again at the end of the year... I turned in 26 pages. I got an "A" in that class, the first A I ever got in my life... I graduated college with a 3.75 for my first degree, and a 3.95 with my second. I can honestly say, he influenced that. RIP Mr. Joseph Coppola, you truly will be missed and forever loved. Thank you for everything you did for me. I wouldn't have made it through my freshman year without you noticing me.

Megan Hallowell

July 8, 2013

Mr. Coppola was one of a kind. The only teacher I ever had that made me feel like he truly cared. We lost one of the best!

Steve Bova

July 8, 2013

This guy was the man -- definitely one of the good guys. He was the kind of teacher that not only educated, but also inspired his students. Sad.

Anthony V.

July 8, 2013

I remember your encouraging words, cheerful demeanor, and intteresting ties always made me look forward to class. You are a true embodiment of a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. As long as these warm memories live on with all of us, so shall you Mr. Coppola. May you rest in peace knowing you have touched the lives of many.
Condolences to Gary and the family.

Eivind Del Fierro

July 8, 2013

Condolences to his family, friends, and the many Brainerd Junior High students he taught over the years (me included). He was one of the good guys.

Jim

July 8, 2013

My life was forever altered when I encountered a man who showed me how to believe in yourself. Mr.Coppola, you are a testament to a life well lived.
Andy Cosenza

Andrew Cosenza

July 7, 2013

Mr. Coppola - My inspiration to become the English teacher I am today! He was my eighth grade Language Arts teacher at Brainard Jr. High. To this day, I often think of him when I'm teaching a particular lesson to my students. He was innovative, creative, honest, and motivating. He will be truly missed!

Lisa (Formanek) McCoog

July 7, 2013

Mr. C, you have taught & lead amazing road to life through your teaching! You have made school fun, you've allowed self creation. May you rest in peace & know how many lives you've changed by being an amazing, AMAZING teacher!

Elisa

July 7, 2013

Peace Be Still. Gary Joe will always look down and smile on you

John

July 7, 2013

What a wonderful person.I have lost a good friend'Kenny

July 7, 2013

Please accept my deepest sympathies. To Gary and family.

Michael Adams

July 7, 2013

I HAVE LOST A DEAR FRIEND.

July 7, 2013

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Funeral services provided by:

Gardner Funeral Home, Runnemede

126 S. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078

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