Obituaries
Chester J. Kopanski, 77
Chester Joseph Kopanski, 77, of Lititz, PA, beloved husband and father passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County Essa Flory Center.
Born on July 4th, 1934 in Coatesville, PA, he was the son of the late Anthony S. and the late Wanda Kopanski. Chester was the husband of Madeline M (Staneski) Kopanski, to whom he was married for 52 years.
Chet was a graduate of S. Horace Scott Senior High School in Coatesville PA and a 1959 graduate of Penn State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Chet spent 15 years with General Electric in the Aerospace Industry. He participated in the Manned Orbital Laboratory and space exploration projects.
He served in the US Army in a special program for aero space.
In 1970-72 he attained certification as a CFP Financial Planner and spent several years in the financial industry. From 1974 until 2002, Chester was the owner of Spring Gulch Resort in New Holland, PA and Mill Bridge Village and Camp Resort in Paradise, PA from 1992 until 2002. He retired in 2002.
He was a member of Bent Creek Country Club and enjoyed golfing, traveling, reading, and the Maryland shore. Chet’s fondest memories were the times he spent at the beaches of Rehoboth, DE golfing with family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Chet is survived by a daughter, Mary, wife of Richard A. Casselbury, of Lititz, son, Brian Kopan, husband of Kris, of Lititz, and four grandchildren, Julia and Blaise Casselbury, Andrew and Taylor Kopan. Also surviving is a brother, Edward M. Kopanski, of State College, PA, a sister, Wanda A. Sandoski of Parkesburg and a sister-in-law, Dolores Kopanski, of Coatesville and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Kopanski.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 1pm from St. John Neumann Catholic Church 601 E. Delp Rd. Lancaster, PA with The Rev. Paul Bryan as Celebrant. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ephrata, PA. A viewing will be held on Tuesday morning from the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA from 10am to 12:15pm.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Chet’s memory may be sent to ARPKD/CHF Alliance (Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease/ Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis), PO Box 70 Kirkwood PA 17536. To send the family an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100
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Condolences to the Family
February 09, 2016
Chet….just read of your passing on google. All my love to Madeline and your children and grandchidren……Brought back so many youthful memories, we were best friends all during our High School days at Scott. So sad tht after I left for NYC then Los Angeles that we lost touch…but this period was way before the internet.
No one I have ever met since our High Scoll days has had more passion, ethics and pure goodness than you. How lucky you were to find Madeline and that she found you…What a gift. With geat sadness and love, Bernie Sofronski
February 25, 2014
Madeline, I came across this sad news while doing a search for you on google. This came about when all the news of the Ukraine reminded me of you and your family and father. Its been a long time since I have seen you and Chet, the last time at Vandenberg AFB when you and Chet transferred from Pa. I knew you would not stay when you kept criticizing the Yucca trees in Southern Calif. on your way to Vandenberg and sure enough you left within a month. It made me laugh when you talked about them.
I know I’m late with this but just saw this last evening 2/24/14. Best wishes to you and the family and sorry about your loss. Would like to call sometime and talk a little.
Don Poremsky
Dear Madeline,
Sorry for your loss. We remember your visit with the Krempas and playing golf with Chet in Florida.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Chet will be missed.
Will and Marlene Recchiuti
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I am so sorry for your loss Madeline. Please extend my condolences to your children and grandchildren.
Sharon
DEAR MADELINE:
WE SAW CHET’S OBIT AND HAVE BEEN THINKING OF YOU CONSTANTLY. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND, CHET. WE HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF YOU AND CHET IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS AS FRIENDS AND IN OUR PROFESSIONS.
MAY GOD BESTOW HIS SPECIAL BLESSINGS DURING THIS TIME OF TRAGIC SORROW.
WALT & VIRGINIA DERKACZ
WEST CHESTER,PA.
I was so sorry to hear the news of Chet passing from my Dad the other day. I have so many fond memories of him and all of you with Catholic High and LCHS Football. He was always one of our biggest fans and supporters. Alot of fond memories at the Gulch. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. He was a great man.
Tom Burger, Jr.
Brian and family,
I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time!
Michelle (Pesarchik) Pieters
We met Chet at his niece Jennifer Jackson’s wedding. I remember he was warm and sweet and what a close relationship he had with Jennifer. I know Jennifer’s heart is broken losing her dear Uncle, her daughter Slaone’s Godfather, and I wanted to send my deep sympathy for her family’s great loss. I wish I had known him better. Our thoughts are with you.
-Cara & Josh Beatman
Dear Madeline, Mary and Brian, We were saddened to hear of Chet’s passing. May you know you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We have many fond memories of fun times at Spring Gulch and Eagles Mere!
Most sincerely
Tony and Dot Pesarchik
We have not seen Chet and you for many, many years but remember you well. Our children and grandchildren camp at the campgrounds you owned – great family places. You are in our thoughts and prayers now.
Would love to see you sometime.
Bob and Judi Cosgriff
2166 Cider Press Road
Manheim PA 17545
Mary and family, so sorry to learn of Chet’s passing. Mary, I just saw you after so many years at the Thorn Hill Wine event, and it was such a treat to see you. I knew your father through Bent Creek–he enjoyed the game of golf and I always enjoyed seeing him on the course and at the clubhouse. A true gentleman, and I know you will miss him. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
My best,
Jill Brown
Dear Madeline & family, I have been praying for Chet since Dolores told us he was sick, now my prayers are for you and your family. Chet was a west ender like me,and he was in my grade, he was always very studious and a great swimmer– the years have gone by so fast. may all your memories console you now and in the days ahead.
Fondly,
NANCY(CIALINI) PITCHERELLA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time… We have wondeful memories of Chet and the whole family from our Spring Gulch days… and from working for both Madiline and Chet Kopanski .. and also being neighbors..God Bless
Lloyd and Sherri Pfitzenmeyer
I will be forever grateful to have had such a loving, kind, and intelligent Uncle. Memories that I have of my Uncle Chet are plentiful, and warming. To my cousins Mary, Brian, Aunt Madeline, and grandchildren, may your memories be your comfort.
With deepest sympathies,
Keith, Kimberly, and baby Sophie Kopanski
Memories of Mr. Kopanski always revolve around Spring Gulch dances and fun times at the campground with Mary when we were at LCHS. Always kind and generous, reminding me a lot of my own late father, Mr. Kopanski always made me feel like one of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Kopanski, Mary, Brian and their families in this sad time of loss. May your memories sustain and comfort you.
in sympathy,
Lisa Haney Lydon
I didn’t get to know my uncle Chet very well, but I do remember him fondly. As the youngest of my generation, my time with both of my Kopanski uncles was limited. Days in the sun at Spring Gulch, vigilias in Coastville at my babcie & djadja’s, one vigilia at Uncle Chet’s involving an unfortunate run in with shrimp, a boo-boo knee from Dutch Wonderland that Uncle Chet helped patch up – these are some of the memories I will carry with me always. To my Aunt Madeline and cousins Mary and Brian, my deepest sympothies, love, and prayers.
To the rest of the extended Kopanski family, never forget where we came from, the love, lessons, and morals taught to us by our Aunt and Uncles and grandparents.
AK (aka Anne Kathryn)