Obituary of Biagio G. Coppolella

Biagio (Ben) G. Coppolella, age 89, of Shelton, beloved husband of Phyllis Kaminski Coppolella, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Bridgeport on February 6, 1933, he was the son of the late John and Maria Richetti Coppolella. Ben proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1956. He earned his CPA certificate in 1962 and went on to earn his master's degree in Accounting from NYU in 1963.

Ben was a member of Tashua Knolls' Senior Men's Club and enjoyed golf and bowling. He loved all sports, but especially baseball and football, his teams being the Mets and the NY Giants. Ben was an avid fan of the comic strip Peanuts and had several collections from the newspapers that he would clip daily. Memorabilia of Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, and the Gang decorated his office. Having traveled the globe during his military service, Ben had little desire for world travel. His ideal family vacations were trips to beach destinations in Cape Cod and immersing himself in the wonders of Disney World. Life's simpler pleasures always appealed most to him.

Ben found his true calling in teaching, a passion he pursued for more than 43 years. He was the first professor at the University of Bridgeport to introduce computerized accounting. He loved his job and his students. Ben would run into former students of his later in life, who recognized him and told what wonderful careers they had and what they had learned from having him as a professor. Ben always felt that "Accounting was an art and not a Science," and he succeeded in passing on this philosophy to his students.

Ben spent many years volunteering with both St. Vincent's Medical Center and the Bridgeport Chapter of SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," where he supported local entrepreneurs wanting to start small businesses. His gentle demeanor and wise advice to everyone will be greatly missed.

In addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, Phyllis, survivors include three loving children, Mark E. Coppolella and fiancé Lisa Holland of West Haven, Daniel J. Coppolella of Bristol, and Karen C. Winkler and her husband Lee of Erie, CO; four cherished grandchildren, Matthew J. Coppolella, Mikala M. Coppolella, Benjamin T. Winkler, and Susanna J. Winkler; a sister, Dolores Vecchiarelli of Southbury; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Michelina Coppolella.

Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Relatives and friends may greet the family from 8:30 - 9:30 AM at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 200 Shelton Road, Trumbull, followed by interment with military honors in St. John's Cemetery, 500 Moose Hill Road, Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org.