Obituaries

Walter J. Kopycinski

October 29, 1937 - April 15, 2022

Burial Date April 22, 2022

Kopycinski: Walter J. Kopycinski, 84 of Waterford, entered eternal life on April 15, 2022 in the company of his loving wife Ann (Meehan) Kopycinski. He was born Oct. 29, 1937 in New Britain, CT the son of the late Sophie (Jakubiak) Kopycinski. After graduating from New Britain High School, he enlisted in the United States Army from 1958 to 1962.

While in the military, Wally played on the Army and Air Force fastpitch softball teams – leading the Air Force to the World Series in California. Wally was an avid sports guy, playing many seasons for the New Britain MarParks in the Atlantic Seaboard League. He was inducted into the Connecticut American Softball Association Hall of Fame in 1989. As he told many “I used to be an athlete, you know!”

He was united in marriage to the former Ann Meehan on June 29, 1963 in Pomfret, CT. He was a very successful Kraft Foods marketing and sales representative covering much of CT, retiring after 32 years. He was the vice president for Waterford Little League Baseball and was head coach of the “Fire Fighters”. He founded and coached Waterford’s first 16-18 year-old Babe Ruth Baseball team. He also helped coach his grandson’s baseball teams in Portland, CT. Wally was the former president of the Waterford High School Booster Club and helped organize many fundraising dances at St. Paul’s Church for both the church and high school.

Wally loved to entertain and was affectionately known as “Mr. Picnic – King of Jarts!” He was actively involved in local politics, first as a Democrat and later as a Republican. Later in life, he took great pleasure in being actively involved in the MacDonald’s political club- “solving many local and global problems.”

Besides his beloved wife Ann, of 58 years, Wally is survived by his two daughters, the joy of their lives, Karen (Scott) Ryan and Paula (Kerry) Gentry. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Kayley and Matthew Ryan, and Ryan and Mitchell Gentry; four siblings Daniel (Susan) Kopycinski, Joan McAvoy, Sandra Gashgorian, Jenny (Robert) Voisine, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five siblings: Charlie, Raymond and Joseph Kopycinski, Claire Selander and Carol Parkington.

The family is forever grateful for the care received from Masonicare Home Health & Hospice and the staff at Crescent Point, Niantic, CT.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Church, 170 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 22, 2022. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to, the Alzheimer’s Association CT Chapter 200 Executive Blvd., 4B Southington, CT 06489-1058. The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, has been entrusted with his care.