DANVERS, Mass. – Brother Alphonse, C.F.X., Edward W. Kopp, 86, a member of the Congregation of the Xaverian Brothers for 67 years, died Aug. 1, 2008, after a brief illness at Maristhill Nursing Home, Waltham, Mass. The son of the late William and Josephine (Volkmuth) Kopp, Edward Kopp was born June 6, 1922, in Syracuse, N.Y. After attending Assumption Academy, Syracuse, N.Y., and St. Joseph Juniorate, Peabody, Mass., he entered the congregation in 1940 and received the religious name, Alphonse. His classroom teaching apostolate would take him to several schools in New York, namely, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Manhattan; Cardinal Hayes High School, the Bronx; Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains; Mount Loretto, Staten Island; and Notre Dame High School, Utica; as well as John Bapst High School, Bangor; St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, Mass.; and St. Joseph Regional High School, Montvale, N.J. Along the way, he would earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from St. John’s University and Master of Arts degrees from both New York University and Worcester State College. Brother Alphonse also served the congregation in various administrative posts: principal of Notre Dame High School, Utica, N.Y.; superior of St. Joseph Novitiate, Newton Highlands, Mass.; and principal of Holy Trinity Grammar School, Orangeburg, S.C. His business background and organizational skills found him frequently serving as secretary to provincial and general chapters. From 1993 to 2001, while living at the Brothers’ retirement facility in Venice, Fla., he served as the cathedral sacristan. In early 2008, he transferred from the Malden Catholic community to Xaverian House, the Brothers’ retirement facility on the campus of St. John’s Prep, Danvers, Mass. Brother Alphonse was known for his unique and frequent laugh, and was always ready to lend a hand in the community. An intensely spiritual and thoughtful man, he exuded charm and fraternal charity. Brother Alphonse is survived by his brother, Richard; and nephews, Edward and Thomas Kopp, all of Syracuse, N.Y.; and two dear cousins, Mary Szyperski and Irene Boucher. Visiting hours will be 2-3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at St. John’s Preparatory School Chapel, Administration Building, Danvers, Mass. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Prep Chapel immediately after the wake 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. Burial will be after at Xaverian Brothers’ Cemetery. Arrangements will be under the direction of Lyons and Sons Funeral Directors, Danvers, Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brother’s memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers’ Retirement Fund, Xaverian Brothers, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229.
BROTHER ALPHONSE, C.F.X. EDWARD W. KOPP
