Mario J. Coppede, 87, of the Town of Niagara died on Monday July 4, 2011 at his son Richard's home while under the care of Niagara Hospice. Born in Kersey, PA he was the son of the late John and Dena (Gavazzi) Coppede. Mario was predeceased by his wife Concetta "Connie" (Forgione) Coppede on January 29, 1989.

Mario was educated in Pennsylvania. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army under General George S. Patton as a Private First Class with the Battery B 489th Anti Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapon Battalion 4th Armored Division. He participated in the battles and campaigns at Normandy, North France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and was awarded a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars and a World War II Victory Medal. In the mid 1940's he came to Niagara Falls, NY and was employed in the production department at the Kimberly Clark Corporation. He later moved to Painesville, NY where he resided for twenty years working in carpentry, logging and a fish hatchery all in the Southern Tier. Upon returning to Niagara Falls, NY in the early 1990's, he worked with Collins Marina in Maintenance in Tonawanda, NY.

Mario was a member of the LaSalle Sportsman's Club and the American Legion Post 1142 in Niagara Falls, NY. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting and in the 1960's earned the title of State Archery Champion. Mario was an ardent fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins but most of all he was a loving father and grandfather who centered his life around his family.

Mr. Coppede is survived by four children Linda (Don) Friges of Medina, OH; Annette M. Coppede of San Diego, CA; John A. (Josephine) Coppede, Esq. of Cheyenne, WY and Richard M. Coppede (Darcia Clary) of Niagara Falls, NY; ten grandchildren Scott Friges, Robin (Jim) Ellison, Stacey Asvestas, Jeffrey Friges, April Friges, Julian Coppede, Eric Coppede, Christina Coppede, Richard J. Coppede and Joshua Coppede, nine great grandchildren Corey, Kayla and Jadon; Nathon, Bailey and Griffin; Celia, Jack and Bella Jean; one sister Irene Coppede of St. Mary's, PA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one brother James (Mary of Kersey, PA) Coppede, and three sisters late Angie, late Marie, and the late Loretta all formerly of Pennsylvania.

Visitation will be on Monday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Tuesday July 12th at 11:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane Klizek officiating and concluding with Military Honors. Interment with Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Niagara Hospice Inc., 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.