Obituaries

In Memoriam: Fair Havenite, 26-Year Fire Police Member, Bill Copeland, 90

Longtime Fair Havenite and area Fire Police volunteer William D. “Bill” Copeland passed away on April 1. He was 90.

Bill spent 26 years as a member of the Fair Haven Fire Depaertment’s Fire Police. He also served as a Rumson Fire Police member.

Known as a man who “valued community,” Bill, in addition to serving on Rumson and Fair Haven’s Fire Police, was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Long Branch and also volunteered with Lunch Break in Red Bank.

Bill Copeland
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Many in our community will recognize Bill, as he kept them safe at countless scenes, whether at an emergency or at a (FHFD) Spaghetti Dinner or Halloween Parade. Kids young and old will recognize him as the long time candy wheel booth carney at our fair. We will miss seeing him around the firehouse and his smile and wave
on Hance Road as he walked his dog.”

Fair Haven Fire Department Media

Bill was born in Manhattan, NY to the late William Copeland and Caroline Jurman. 

After serving his country as a member of the U.S. Navy, he earned an associate’s degree from what was Monmouth College and worked for Verizon for 35 years before retiring.

“Bill was a man of great faith, having ushered at St. Michaels in Long Branch, Holy Cross Church in Rumson and Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven,” his loved ones said in his obituary.

William is survived by: his beloved wife of 69 years, Diane M. Copeland; his loving son, William M. Copeland; his cherished daughters, Patricia Mieth (James), Diane Campione (Joseph), Margaret Walton (William), and Barbara Hendrickson (Roy); and his four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in William’s memory to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers of Maryknoll, NY. 

— Edited obituary submitted by family via John E. Day Funeral Home

— Featured photo/FHFD