Webster Tirrell Copp, 81, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 27, 2010.
He leaves his wife of 58 years, Patricia Briggs Copp; his four daughters, and their husbands Candace Copp Jacobs and Michael Jacobs, of Cromwell, CT, Jennifer Copp Kimenker and Jim Kimenker, of Mystic, CT, Jacqueline Tirrell Copp-Moffett, and Peter Moffett, of West Hartford, CT, Elizabeth Copp Lebel and Fredric Lebel, of Wenham, MA. He was the beloved Grampy to 11 grandchildren, Abby and Maggie O’Brien, Jillian and Aly Jacobs, Katie and Kimmie Hasenfuss and Alison Kimenker, Carly and Sam Moffett, and Hannah and Jack Lebel.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut and raised in Norwich, CT, he was the son of Mary A. Tirrell and Webster D. Copp. He was an active resident of West Hartford, CT for 24 years and after retirement of Mystic, CT. He was predeceased by his two brothers James H. Copp and David H. Copp.
Web spent his early years in Norwich, CT where he met his adoring wife. He was a graduate of Norwich Free Academy. He received a B.S. from the University of Connecticut in 1951, and his J.D. from Suffolk Law School in 1969 at which time he became a member of the Connecticut Bar. He and Patricia were married at her parents home in Norwich in January, 1952 and had a lifetime of happiness together.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, attended Officers Candidate School and in 1952 was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. After serving, he became associated with the Travelers Insurance Company where he remained for 38 years, retiring in 1993 as Associate Counsel. While employed in the Life Insurance Division he acquired CLU and CHFC designations.
Web was very civic minded and a dedicated and loyal Republican, serving on several boards – in West Hartford the Board of Special Assessments and The Board of Tax Review. In Stonington he chaired the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Charter Revision Commission. He also served on the Mason’s Island Fire District and as the President of the Mason’s Island Property Owners Association. He was a Trustee of Bay Path College from 1987 to 1994 and an ad hoc member of Northeastern University staff teaching insurance courses in Hartford. He was a former Trustee and longtime member of the Mason’s Island Yacht Club.
A Justice of the Peace since 1972, he and his wife performed countless weddings in the Hartford and Mystic areas. Most of these ceremonies were done jointly; unusual for a married couple to officiate together and a particular joy for them both.
Web began each day with the crossword puzzle, jumble and cryptogram. He was an enthusiastic and loyal UConn Huskies men’s and women’s basketball fan, rarely missing a game, and usually wearing the blue and white Husky colors on game days. An upstanding citizen, he was a member of Calvary Church, a former Chairman and provider of anecdotes for the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men’s Eating Organization), a competent player and former Chairman of MIYC bocce, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered for his quiet demeanor, the twinkle in his blue eyes, his overall kindness, sense of humor, and as a consummate gentleman.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern CT and Hospice of Southeastern CT in recognition of the family’s deep appreciation of the extraordinary care they provided.
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