F. Gill Copeland

Fred Gill Copeland, 76, of Manchester, passed away on December 9, 2018. Gill was born in Manchester, to the late James and Dorothy (Gill) Copeland on January 29, 1942. Upon graduating from Manchester High School, Class of 1961, he became an Electrician working for Robert's Electric. He proudly served his country in the United States Army in Vietnam 1964-1965. After his return from service, he continued work becoming a Master Electrician. He moved on to Manchester Memorial Hospital where he worked for over 25 years until his retirement in December of 2007. Gill loved the beach and enjoyed many family vacations on Cape Cod, Rhode Island and Florida. He enjoyed playing his guitar and listening to his large collection of vinyl records almost as much as lounging in his hammock between the pine trees of his backyard. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends very much and they were an important and ever present part of his life.  He is survived by his loving wife and true, life partner of 49 years, Elaine (Valade) Copeland, his two children; Stephen and wife Jen of White Plains, NY, Robert and wife Fernanda of Scituate, MA and proud grandfather of Marissa and Jared, of White Plains, NY, sister Judy and husband Mal Robertson of Falmouth, MA, brother in-law Ray Valade and wife Sue of Bloomfield, CT, sisters in-law Anne Valade of Manchester, CT, Denise Dupree of Ormond Beach, FL and Lois Stearns of North Syracuse, NY and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 1-3 p.m. with a service to begin at 3 p.m. at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St, Manchester, CT. Burial will be private. Memorial donations in Gill's name may be made to the Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS-Paramedic Fund, 75 Center St, Manchester, CT 06040. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.holmeswatkins.com.

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