Boston — Michael S. Copeland, a longtime East Derry, NH resident, died Thursday, March 16th at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston at the age of 81.
Michael was born in Mansfield, OH, the son of the late Betty (Gerhart) and Ernest Sutherland, and adopted son of Jack Copeland. He attended Mansfield High School and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Michael had a long and varied career in engraving, textile design, marketing, and sales at Viking Engraving Corp. (Columbus, OH), Chrysler (Sandusky, OH), The Design Center/Gencorp (Salem, NH), J. Josephson (NJ), remotely for Naugahyde (headquartered in IN) and for Enduratex (headquartered in Taiwan), and with his wife at their company Pattern People, designing and hand-painting original wall coverings. He worked freelance designing and selling fabric for many years, creating patterns and texture designs that were sold and used as wall coverings, upholstery and other decorative products in many settings, including casinos (The Bellagio, Venetian, Treasure Island, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods). In addition to his design work, Michael was an award-winning salesman at Lord & Taylor, and realtor working for Berge Real Estate, Chestnut Properties, and Pater Property Management.
A prolific poet, Michael penned hundreds of poems, several of which have been published online at Vox Poetica, The New Hampshire Troubadour, and in The Forum (Pawtuckaway, NH). Michael had a life-long interest in art and design; he was an avid photographer, winning several awards from regional photography contests, and amassed a vast collection of art and pottery. Michael loved people, experiencing new cultures as he traveled for business and pleasure. With his quick wit and friendly demeanor, Michael made fast friends that he kept in contact with. He loved traveling and made many trips both domestically and abroad to Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He accompanied his wife and family on multiple trips to Italy and enjoyed visiting his wife’s extended family in Sicily—he truly was an “honorary Italian.”
The ultimate girl dad, Michael passionately supported his daughters’ athletic endeavors and interests. He was a volunteer coach for Derry Recreation sports and Assistant Coach for Pinkerton Academy girls tennis. Michael enjoyed watching games and spending time with family and friends. Michael adopted the New England sports teams when he moved to New Hampshire in the early 1980s, however Michael remained steadfast in his lifelong support of the Ohio State Buckeyes. A lover of soccer in his later years, Michael could often be found up early on a Saturday morning, watching Manchester United playing in a match across the pond.
Michael was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (affectionally known as “Papa”), of his close family. He was predeceased by his parents, his father-in-law Sebastian “Bud” Marino, and his mother-in law Marianna “Mary” (Tine) Marino. He is survived by his adoring wife Janice (Marino) Copeland, his daughters Alana Copeland, and her husband Anant Nyshadham, of Natick, MA, and Cara Copeland, and her husband Alex Campbell, of Merrimack, NH, and his granddaughters Zara and Mia Nyshadham. He is also survived by his sister Connie (Copeland) Reed and her husband Mike, his beloved Aunt Beverly Wirick, and many cousins, nieces and nephew.
ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may call on Friday, March 24th from 2-5pm at The Common Man, 88 Range Rd., Windham, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Michael’s name to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.