Obituary of Thomas Lee Kopnski

Thomas Lee Kopnski, 87, of Westover died after a long illness on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was born in Preston County, WV in January 1933. He was a son of the late Ignatius “Michael” and Antonina “Anna” (Zuchowski) Kopnski. Thomas “Tom” graduated from Saint Francis High School in 1951 where he earned his Varsity letter in football and obtained a scholarship to St. Vincent in Latrobe, PA to play college football. He attended WVU briefly and participated in the ROTC. He married Mary Lou Tait in 1954. His professional career began in the coal operations at Monmar where he was a weight station operator. Tom was the co-owner of several coal mines. He went on to own three laundries in Morgantown, Fairmont, and Monongah and later returned to the coal business where he eventually retired as a tipple operator in 2002. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Tom was an avid Mountaineer fan, enjoyed golfing, Civil War history, and had a passion for new cars. He spent many hours watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren compete and participate in their various activities, which he loved. Tom was a tender-hearted loving person who treasured his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Tait Kopnski; daughters, Marisa Kopnski and Monica (John) Blue; grandchildren, Kenneth Clarke, Christa (Justin) Ash, Brooke (Danton) Payton, and JJ (Kelcee) Blue; great-grandchildren, Madison and Karson Janes, Kenleigh and Asher Payton, Corbin Ash, and Walker Blue; brother, Michael (Eva) Kopnski; nieces and nephews, Mark Cuppett, Thomas Reed, Richard Reed, Terry Kendall, Michelle Kopnski, Marnella Harpster, Melissa Ciechalski, and Michael Kopnski; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his father-in-law, William Tait; mother-in-law, Dominica “Minnie” Tait; his brother and sister-in-law, John (Louise) Kopnski; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Agnes (Porter) Martin, Leona (George) Reed, Alice (Calvin) Kendall, Frances (Darlton) Cuppett, Josephine (Charles) Eavenson, and Mary Phyllis Kopnski; his nephew, Timothy Kendall; and niece, Phyllis Foisie. The family would like to thank Melissa Estep and Alicia Funk with Morgantown Hospice; niece and godchild, Michelle Kopnski; longtime family friend, Debi Shultz; and friend, Gary Marlin. Arrangements are being handled by Hastings Funeral Home and no services will be held due to the current pandemic. Tom will be laid to rest at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Preston County, WV. Donations can be made in Tom’s memory to Morgantown Hospice or St. Francis Central Catholic School. Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com