Mr. Kopitsky was born and grew up in Shamokin, PA. His family moved to Malvern, PA when he was 19.
Mr. Kopitsky was a 1968 graduate of Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA, where he received his BS in Elementary and Special Education. In 1969 he earned his MS in Special Education and Rehabilitation from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. In 1974 he obtained a Master’s in School Counseling and School Psychology from Northeastern University.
Mr. Kopitsky initially worked as an instructor of cane travel at Perkins School for the blind in Watertown, MA. After moving to Sandwich, MA, he was a School Psychologist and Director of Special Education in Carver, MA. With a move to Vermont Joe served as Special Education Director of the Bennington/Rutland Supervisory Union in Manchester. He culminated his school career as Coordinator of Special Needs Students and School Counselor at the Benjamin Franklin School in Keene, NH. Mr. Kopitsky was also an adjunct lecturer at Keene State College. He retired in 2007.
Mr. Kopitsky was a lover of the outdoors, hiking and travel. An Eagle Scout himself, he led scout troops, facilitated scouts in earning badges and spent many summers working in or directing scout camps. Both of his sons also earned the Eagle Scout Award. In his later years, while living in Jackson, New Hampshire, Mr. Kopitsky worked as a Park Ranger and Guide on Mount Washington and loved hiking and cross-country skiing with his sons in the White Mountains. A favorite retirement activity was travel, especially to Europe, with his wife of 46 years.
Mr. Kopitsky is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Education Honors Society and has been an active member of the Nauset-Chatham Lions’ Club for the past seven years, two of which were as Club President. As a member of the Lyons’ Club he earned the prestigious Melvin Douglas award in 2016. In 1977 Joe earned the Scouting District Award of Merit for Charles Bank District in the Boston area. In 1997, Joe earned the Silver Beaver Award for Outstanding Service to Scouting. In 2007 his peers awarded him the New Hampshire Counselor of the Year Award for outstanding service in working with students.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Glavin Kopitsky of Brewster, MA and two sons, Brian J. of Boston and Kevin J. of Brookline. He was preceded in Eternal Life by his father, Joseph Edward Kopitsky, Sr. and his mother, Lilian Marie Kopitsky, both of Malvern, PA. He is also survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Kopitsky was a faithful communicant and member of Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church in Brewster, MA.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 2, at 11:00 at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church in Brewster.
The Kopitsky family is deeply grateful to the hospital and hospice staff at Brigham and Woman’s hospital in Boston for their wonderful attention and care.
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