Alfred J. "Al" Kopec

Alfred J. “Al” Kopec, age 85, of Dover, passed away unexpectedly Monday, August 14, 2017.

Born January 12, 1932, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Mary Barus Kopec. Al graduated from Scott Township’s Clark High School, Carnegie, in 1949, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He served honorably with the U.S. Army at the end of the Korean War. Al married Marie Grandinetta, who survives, on July 3, 1954. The couple observed their 63rd wedding anniversary this year. Al retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation as Operations Engineer - East Central Ohio, after nearly 42 years of service. Among his responsibilities were maintenance and operational tasks involving 1,500 miles of highway, over 200 bridges and 11 parks.

Al was a long-time member of St. Joseph Church, Dover, serving on parish advisory council, as lector, as treasurer of the senior citizens group and other positions. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and was a Past Grand Knight. Al also belonged to the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marie; his sons, Joseph A. Kopec of Denver, Colorado, Richard C. (Heidi) Kopec of Pemberville, and Stephen A. (Carolyn) Kopec of Plain City; his six grandchildren, Rachel, Lucas, Stephanie, Matthew, Katherine and Jonathon; his many cousins; and his nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 18, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church with Fr. Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery, Dover. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Thursday, August 17, 5 – 8 p.m. A Christian wake service will be conducted Thursday at 7:45 p.m. in the funeral home. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Al, please visit the obituaries link on the funeral home’s website.

The family suggests that contributions in Al’s memory be made to St. Joseph Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622.