Thomas Copeland

ATHOL - Thomas Copeland, 89 of 415 Silver Lake Street, Athol, died Thursday, February 14, 2013 at home. He was born in Rindge, NH, on July 25, 1923, the son of the late Thomas S. and the late Esther V. (Nelson) Copeland. Mr. Copeland grew up in Warwick and Athol.  He entered the Army and was assigned to the Americal Division of Infantry, the first Army unit overseas during WWII.  He received the Bronze Star with five battle stars, and most recently was presented with the Purple Heart for his sacrifices to his country.   He received his G.E.D. from the New Salem Academy after returning from the service. He worked for the Civil Conservation Corps for several months as well as the Tyler Glass Worcester Boys trade School, Wyman & Gordon and the L. S. Starrett Company for 28 years.   Mr. Copeland was Scout Master of Troop 16 for 4 years, meeting at the Athol American Legion Post 102. He was also a talented craftsman. Mr. Copeland was a Life member of the American Legion, Post 102, past Commander from 1973-1974, Athol Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46 – past Commander (5 times), was their past longtime Chaplain, and was a member of the Starrett 25 Year Club.  He was a member of the Athol congregational Church, AARP – trip chairman & past president and the Golden Ages – past president. He leaves his wife of 61 years: Florence R. (Boutelle) Copeland of Athol; his sons, Fran White and his wife De of Athol, and Terry Soutiere of Acton, Ontario, Canada; a brother, William V. Copeland of Vancouver, WA; and cousins, Jim and Carole Garner of Phillipston. He was predeceased by his brother, George H. Copeland, and by his sister, Anna R. Condon. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 18, at 10:00 A.M. in the Fiske, Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, MA. Burial will follow with full military honors in Silver Lake Cemetery. Calling Hours will be held Sunday, February 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.                                                     at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46, P.O. Box 746, Athol, MA 01331, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskemurphymack.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });