Joseph M. Kopylec, 85, formerly of Totoket Road, Northford, passed into everlasting life on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Hospice of the Valley, Goodyear, AZ. He was the husband of Phyllis Woliver Kopylec.

Mr. Kopylec was born in East Haven on March 19, 1927 and was the son of the late Alex and Eva Garbinski Kopylec. A resident of Northford for many years he retired to New York State for 11 years returning back to Northford in 1998 until his move to Tonopah, Arizona earlier this year.

He was a truck driver for Hall’s Transit and a member of the Teamsters Local #443 for 37 years until his retirement in 1987, then the Teamsters Union of Retirees Local #443. He served in the U.S. Army with the 770th Triple A gun battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington, taking ranger and paratrooper training. He went to Germany with the 717th, triple A gun battalion.

He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 8294 and was commander for ten years, member of the American Legion Murray/Reynolds Post #76 of North Haven, Veteran of Overseas Service, Post #2 of Central Bridge, New York, the American Ostrich Association, New York and the North Haven Grange #35.

Father of Leola F. LeVack (Chuck) of Marion, NC, Edna (William) Betzner of Wallingford, Rocklan J. Kopylec (Caroline) of Tonopah, AZ, Paul E. Kopylec of New Haven, David A. Kopylec (Ulli) of North Haven and Kenneth G. Kopylec-Arden (Angelyn) of North Branford. Brother of Mary Gould of VT, Theresa Wayne of FL, Annie DellaValle of North Haven, Alice “Holly” Williams of Wallingford, John Kopylec of Guilford and the late Andrew, Michael and Stephen Kopylec. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Saturday morning June 22nd at 10:00 with the Rev. Edward Cornell officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Northford Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Friday from 5 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of TheValley, Goodyear, Arizona 85395.