Stephen Michael Kopian

Steve Kopian 82, best known as "General", peacefully passed away at home on July 2nd. A loving husband, father and brother, he is survived by his sons Steven, Thomas, Joe, his "adopted" son Stewart, his daughter-in-law Diana, granddaughter Avery, sister Betty, many nieces and nephews, and his best friend... his dog Buster. He is preceded in death by his devoted wife Karen, parents Stephen and Anna and sisters Deloris and Joan. While he earned his living with the Nassau County Health Department, his real passions were sports and the fire department. The General was a champion athlete in multiple sports. He played football and track for Glen Cove High School, where one of his track records still stands. He then played football for the University of South Carolina, and eventually played for the New York Jets during their first season in the AFL as the New York Titans. An avid softball player, he continued to play on different leagues right up into his 70's. He was a sixty-year member of the Glenwood Fire Company where for a time, he acted as Trustee, and was a member of the drill, softball and bowling teams. He had great loves for Polish polkas, motorcycles and cracking wise. Through it all, despite the fact that he could make his family crazy, they loved him as much as he loved them. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Further information Whitting Funeral Home, www.whitting.com.