Joseph Kopechne Obituary (father of Mary Jo)

Times Leader ^ | 12/31/03

[Born Conservative]

Posted on Wed, Dec. 31, 2003

Kopechne, Joseph

December 24, 2003 Joseph A. Kopechne, 90, of Swiftwater, died Dec. 24 in Stroud Manor Nursing Home, East Stroudsburg.

Born April 25, 1913, in Forty Fort, he was the son of Frank and Mary (Leitinger) Kopetchny. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He worked at the shipyards in New Jersey during World War II and was employed by the Washington National Life Insurance Co. He attended Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, Tannersville, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his only child, MaryJo.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of more than 60 years, the former Gwen L. Jennings, are his brother, Raymond; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Vincent's de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Church Street, Plymouth, with the Rev. Donald Williams officiating.

Funeral arrangements are by Kielty-Moran Funeral Home, 87 Washington Ave., Plymouth.

[dougiefresh]

My guess is that he probably had an unborn grandchild too, but that will never be known.

[pgkdan]

I never knew Mary Jo was their only child. Makes it doubly sad. I wonder if fat Teddy will send flowers.

[medscribe]

Somebody needs to smack this obituary on Ted Kennedy's head on national television and ask for his reaction.

[IGOTMINE]

Think of all the comfort this man received from all the great social works of the good senator.

Mary Jo did not die in vain. Were it not for her death, Teddy K may well have become president.

[The G Man]

Yeah, but think how hard Teddy fought on behalf of seniors like him though, mmmmkay?

[Diogenesis]

“If she had lived, Mary Jo Kopechne would be 62 years old.
Through his tireless work as a legislator,
Edward Kennedy would have brought comfort to her in her old age.”

– Charles Pierce, January 5, Boston Globe Magazine

[Born Conservative]

I posted this out of historical interest. If this is an inappropriate posting, feel free to delete.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Mary Jo did not die in vain. Were it not for her death, Teddy K may well have become president.

Very true, just as the sacrafice of little Elian Gonzalez saved us all from President Gore's complete copitulation to militant Islam. She should never be forgotten.

[CatoRenasci]

.... and Senator 'Ted' Kennedy is reported to have made a sizeable donation to Planned Parenthood in the Kopechnes' Memory...

-- thirty --

[scotiamor]

I would like to know how many pieces of silver Mary Jo's parents accepted from Kennedy to NOT pursue an autopsy and criminal complaint against her killer. Kennedy basically let her drown, probably a few hours after the car sank - he sat on the lakefront and walked around trying to think of ways to get of the accident(?). he called a number of Kennedy retainers asking one of them to step forward to volunteer as driver of the car - but no takers.

Contrast Kennedy skating through this accident vs. the Republican rep from North Dakota who was tried for his drunk driving that led to a death.

[marvlus]

Contrast Kennedy skating through this accident vs. the Republican rep from North Dakota who was tried for his drunk driving that led to a death.

I assume you're referring to the rep from South Dakota who ran a stop sign (he wasn't drunk).

[88keys]

the Republican rep from North Dakota who was tried for his drunk driving that led to a death.

He wasn't even drunk...he's a lead-foot, drove through a stop sign on a rural highway (posted speed limit was probably 55) and a motorcyclist was killed when he broadsided Janklow.

Janklow's at fault, but yes indeed, contrast the reaction to his tragedy to "Ted's misadventure"...at least Janklow had the sincere good conscience to grieve and leave!

[88keys]

Oops...right...South Dakota...and the rest of your point is right, too.

[OSHA]

“If she had lived, Mary Jo Kopechne would be 62 years old.
Through his tireless work as a legislator,
Edward Kennedy would have brought comfort to her in her old age.”

– Charles Pierce, January 5, Boston Globe Magazine


Is this for real?????

[Tacis]

I am certain Teddy will send flowers. The death releases Teddy from a long time, on-going financial obligation.

[cake_crumb]

ARGGH WRONG MURDERING KENNEDY!! I HATE BEING SICK!!

[calvin sun]

Does anyone find anything curious about the lack of detail given with respect to Mary Jo Kopechne?

[TommyDale]

"He was preceded in death by his only child, MaryJo"...who died from an apparent drowning in a car driven by Ted Kennedy, known to have escaped without being charged.