Coppola, Vincent Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S., 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 17th in Stowe, Vermont with his wife of 56 years, Lillian, by his side. We are incredibly blessed and grateful to have had our beloved husband and father for so many years and will cherish all of the special memories he made with each of us. Vincent was born in Yonkers, NY on June 17, 1923 to Rose DeNoce and Vincent Coppola, Sr. and was big brother to Gloria Principale of Mission Viejo, CA and Rita Coppola, who preceded him in death. He attended Roosevelt High School in Tuckahoe, NY; went on to graduate from Georgetown University in Wash, D.C. in 1944 and received his Medical Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1948. After an internship at the Georgetown University Hospital, he began his surgical training at the Flower Fifth Ave Hospital in New York City, and finished a 3 year surgical residency program at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Vincent served a 2 year stint in the Medical Corps of the US Navy during the Korean War where he was stationed at Bainbridge Naval Hospital in Maryland as a surgeon with the grade of full Lieutenant. In 1955 Vincent started his private surgical practice in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on East Broward Blvd. It is here, in 1958, that he met and married Lillian Ida Bussolin and had 6 children: Paul Coppola (Pamela), Rita (Michael) Wallace, Loretta Coppola (Debbie), Nancy (Donald) Veto, Lillian (Scott) Sinelli and RoseAnne (Ron) Glenn. He was devoted to his loving four grandchildren: Isabella, Emma and Sarah Sinelli and Dominic Veto. During his Professional life he served as Chief of Surgery at Holy Cross Hospital from 1960 to 1964, Broward General Hospital in 1966 and the North Beach Hospital, where he also served as Chief of Staff in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was highly regarded by all who knew him, including his physician colleagues and the nursing and administrative staffs at the hospitals where he practiced. He will be affectionately remembered for the jokes he told in the OR and for his very caring, generous and loyal attention to his patients. He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the Southeastern Surgical Congress, a former President of the Ft. Lauderdale Surgical Society and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons. Vincent retired from surgery in Florida in 1987, but continued to practice in Stowe, Vermont for 4 years where he built a home and fully retired with his wife to a tranquil life. His love of the outdoors brought him many enjoyable hours of gardening, hiking, golfing, skiing and snowshoeing. He was a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan, loved the excitement of the stock market and traveled extensively throughout his life. His sense of humor was a large part of his personality which provided his family with everlasting joy and laughter. Vincent was especially proud of his heritage. Both of his parents migrated to the US at the turn of the century. His father’s prestigious career as a women’s fashion designer was highlighted by clients such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Ave. and countless movie stars. The last five years of his career were marked by his appointment to Vice President of Christian Dior, USA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 29th at 10:00am, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 728 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672. Faith Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Stowe Land Trust PO Box 284, 699 South Main Street, Stowe, VT 05672 - 802-253-7221 Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Dr. Vincent Coppola, Jr.
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Georgetown University School of Medicine, Office of Advancement Attn: Libby Bell, Senior Director 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4000 Wash, DC 20007 Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Dr. Vincent Coppola, Jr.
