Joseph M. Kopylec, 85, of Tonopah, Arizona, formerly of Totoket Rd., Northford, died June 16 at the Hospice of the Valley in Goodyear, Arizona.  He was the husband of Phyllis Woliver Kopylec.  Mr. Kopylec was born in East Haven on March 19, 1927, son of the late Alex and Eva Garbinski Kopylec.  A resident of Northford for many years, he retired to New York State for 11 years, returning back to Northford in 1998 until his move to Tonopah, Arizona, earlier this year.  He had been a truck driver for Hall’s Transit and was a member of the Teamsters Local No. 443 for 37 years until his retirement in 1987. He then became a member of the Teamsters Union of Retirees Local No. 443. 

Mr. Kopylec had served in the U.S. Army with the 770th Triple A Gun Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington, taking ranger and paratrooper training and went to Germany with the 717th Triple A Gun Battalion. He was a member of the VFW Post 8294 and had been commander for 10 years. He had also been a member of the American Legion Murray/Reynolds Post No. 76 of North Haven,  the Veteran of Overseas Service, Post No. 2 of Central Bridge, New York, the American Ostrich Association, New York, and the North Haven Grange No. 35. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Leola F. LeVack and her husband Chuck of Marion, North Carolina, Edna Betzner and her husband William of Wallingford, Rocklan J. Kopylec and his wife Caroline of Tonopah, Arizona, Paul E. Kopylec of New Haven, David A. Kopylec and his wife Ulli of North Haven, and Kenneth G. Kopylec-Arden and his wife Angelyn of North Branford.  He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Gould of Vermont, Theresa Wayne of Florida, Annie DellaValle of North Haven, and Alice “Holly” Williams of Wallingford; a brother, John Kopylec of Guilford; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers, Andrew, Michael, and Stephen Kopylec.

Funeral services, officiated by The Rev. Edward Cornell, will be conducted at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., North Haven, on Saturday, June 23, at 10 a.m.  Burial with full military honors will follow in Northford Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be Friday, June 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Valley, Goodyear, Arizona  85395.   www.northhavenfuneral.com