Chester Frank Kopala

12/31/2003

Chester Frank Kopala, 83, of 13 Leonard St. died early Wednesday morning at North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was admitted on Dec. 12. Born in Adams on Nov. 22, 1920, son of Joseph and Mary Czaja Kopala, he attended local schools. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater from 1942 until 1945. He established the former Chet's Barber Shop, which was first located in North Adams for many years, then in Pittsfield, and finally in Williamstown, retiring several years ago after barbering for over 50 years. Earlier, he had also worked as a loom fixer at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Co. in Adams for several years. Mr. Kopala was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. He was a member of the Adams Post 160 American Legion and the Burnette-Bednarz Post 1995 VFW Adams; the Maple Grove Civic Club, the Mountain Club, Polish National Alliance and the Greylock Community Club of North Adams. He was also a charter member of the National World War II Memorial. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, mushrooming, cooking and ballroom dancing. His wife, the former Stacia Golec, whom he married Oct. 23, 1943, died in 1962. He leaves three sons, Richard C. Kopala of Centerville, Bruce F. Kopala of Savoy and Timothy R. Kopala of Adams; a brother, Stanley Kopala of Adams; four grandchildren and a step-grandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Chester Kopala will be Monday, Jan. 5, at 9:15 from the AUGE-PACIOREK-SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, celebrated by the Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, pastor of the Parishes of St. Stanislaus Kostka and Notre Dame & St. Thomas Aquinas. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to any charity of the donor's choice through the funeral home. He leaves his daughters-in-law, Mary Lou, Debby and Laura; his four grandchildren, Stacie Adams, Jason Kopala, Brian Kopala and Brett Kopala; a step-grandchild, Bridget Tanguay. He was predeceased by a sister, Jessie Dziegiel.

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