Walter P. Kopicki

Walter P. Kopicki, 92, of Homosassa, FL, passed away early in the morning on Mon., May 11, 2015 at Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast Hospice House, Lecanto, FL. A native of Scranton, PA, he was born Dec.10, 1922 to Francis and Mary Anna (Kruszka) Kopicki, one of fourteen children. Walter attended Scranton area schools through high school and at the age of 16 served for six months with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Augusta, Montana. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1943 and served his country honorably during WWII in several battles, and in 1945 was the recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Mr. Kopicki also received two Bronze Stars from his engagement with the enemy, including the occupation of Germany and in Belgium. Having made corporal in basic training, he also trained replacement troops in Windsor, England, and upon discharge in 1946, he had attained the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Kopicki was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service with 32 years of service in his native Scranton. Walter was also a certified watchmaker and throughout his life, he pursued this as a hobby, repairing many clocks and watches. Mr. Kopicki was an avid reader and golfer, and was a member of the Emanon Country Club, Falls, PA. He is survived by his five children: Richard Kopicki (wife Jeanne), Christine “Tina” Smolski (husband Edward), and Ann Marie Davis, all of Homosassa, FL; Patti Damiano, Somerset, NJ and Amelia Phelps, Archbald, PA; sisters Elizabeth Braz, Scranton, PA and Helen Williams, Sorney, TX; grandchildren Brian, Karen, John, Robert, Jeffrey and Jason and great grandchildren Ellis, Breck and Jamie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 45 years, Agnes Kopicki, on Aug. 14, 1992; two sons-in-law, Raymond Davis and Robert Phelps, and his eleven siblings; Chester, Anthony, Richard, John, Joseph, Lucille, Marion, Lorraine, Stanley and two infant siblings. Services and interment to take place in his native Scranton, Pennsylvania. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com