Br. Alphonse Edward W. Kopp C.F.X.

Brother Alphonse, C.F.X. (Edward W. Kopp), a member of the Congregation of the Xaverian Brothers for sixty-seven years, died after a brief illness on August 1, at age eighty-six, at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham, MA.

The son of the late William and Josephine (Volkmuth) Kopp, Edward Kopp was born in Syracuse, NY, on June 6, 1922. After attending Assumption Academy in Syracuse, NY and St. Joseph Juniorate in Peabody, MA, he entered the congregation in 1940 and received the religious name Alphonse. His classroom teaching apostolate would take him to several schools in New York, namely, Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Manhattan, Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, Mt. Loretto on Staten Island, and Notre Dame High School in Utica, as well as John Bapst High School in Bangor, ME; St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, MA; and St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ. Along the way he would earn his BA degree in Business Administration from St. John's University and MA degrees from both New York University and Worcester State College. Brother Alphonse also served the Congregation in various administrative posts: Principal of Notre Dame High School in Utica, NY; Superior of St. Joseph Novitiate in Newton Highlands, MA; and Principal of Holy Trinity Grammar School in Orangeburg, SC. His business background and organizational skills found him frequently serving as secretary to provincial and general chapters. From 1993 to 2001, while living at the Brothers' retirement facility in Venice, FL, he served as the Cathedral sacristan. In early 2008 he transferred from the Malden Catholic community to Xaverian House, the Brothers' retirement facility on the campus of St. John's Prep in Danvers. Brother Alphonse was known for his unique and frequent laughter and was always ready to lend a hand in the community. An intensely spiritual and thoughtful man, he exuded charm and fraternal charity.

Brother Alphonse is survived by his brother, Richard and nephews, Edward and Thomas Kopp, all of Syracuse, NY, and two dear cousins, Mary Szyperski and Irene Boucher.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, August 5, from 2:00 to 3:45 p.m. at the St. John's Preparatory School Chapel (Administration Building). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Prep Chapel immediately following the wake on Tuesday, August 5, at 4:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Xaverian Brothers' Cemetery. Arrangements will be under the direction of Lyons and Sons Funeral Directors, Danvers. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brother's memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers' Retirement Fund at Xaverian Brothers, 4409 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229