New Britain herald., 1929-04-22
LONG STEWARDSHIP
 CLOSED BY DEATH
Continued from First Page)
and at no time during the serNlces did he discuss the war.
 Ordained At IOuVain

Father Coppens was born in Alost. Belgium, August 19. 1873, and he received most Of his preliminary education in his native home. He was ordained at the Grand seminary in Louvain on June 20. 1926, study. ing under the late Cardinal Mercer, and came to this country short time afterward.
 His years devoted to the prlSt- hood were spent in this country. He was first assigned to St. Joseph parish ill Willmantic and later was transferred to St Peters church in Danbury where Rev. Matthew J. Traynor pastor of St. Mary's church, was a curate Another previous as- sIpnment was at St. Anne's church in Waterbury.
 Came to This City in 1901
 On May h. 1901 he was trans fnrred to St. Peters church in ths city to succeed Rev. N. F. \. Schn"l- der who was transferred to St Mary's church in Meriden. The parish had been established on'Y bout 10 years and was deep in dep'. | Hard and conscientious work on the part of Father Coppens relieved the narish of it's financial burden in l9-o Previous to his illness he was formulating plans for parochHu school which would be supported by the parish.
 In Failing Health l For many years Father Coppehs i had been suffering from dla petes' but was able to continue his duties at the church until about year ago. At that time he found it necessary | to eo abroad for his health and TOT | three months he visited his none 1 in Belgium. Last August ne re- i turned to this country. but his heaith 1 had not improved and it was neces- 1 sary for him 10 enter St. Francls ! hospital at Hartford for treatment 1 Last November he returned 10 this l city and was able to be about but his health was still very poor. TOT | the past several months he had oe'!l ! confined to the parish house. Be suffered a severe attack on Saturday | April 13. and his condition became critical Complications set in and l toward the end he was reconciled 10 the fact that his death was near | Although specialist told him ne might finger for some time. he pre- | dieted to Rev. Charles Fuchs, acting pastor Of the church and his con- stant friend during his last f@" months. that he would die soon
 Loved By All
 Father Coppens had host of friends among people of all religious beliefs and throughout his sickness hundred. of inquiries as to his heafn n
 were made. Protestant Catholic and Jew held Father Coppens in hlsr esteem and are joining with the sad dened parishioners in mourning hi'
 loss.
 Father Copens was master of seV'
 eral langua ges. His ability to speal English. French and German made him invaluable 10 the diocese o Hartford and an asset 10 St. Peter''
 parish where 'ne French and Ger man Catholics hold services
 Ever tactful. coura geous and un-
 selfish, he was an ideal leader fo' St Peters parish.
 The esteem in which Father Cop.
 pen. was held may be gleaned from the fact that in 1923 he was giver
 a purse of S40o by his congregation
 when he returned from a trip tf
 Belgium On another occasion few
 years later he was presented vitf
 S1, 500 by his flock.
 Member Of Religious Family
 Father Coppens was member o'
 a religious family. His sister. nur
 and missionary in Africa for years met her death during the world wal while taking care of orphans fr Belgium. A brother. Joseph. a mis.
 sionary Of the Society Of Jesus. als. died in the service Of God. Rev
 Anthony Coppens, a member of ,he
 Society Of Jesus in Indiana. and 7 Ithird brother, Alexander Coppens