Paul James Kopcha

Escondido - Paul J. Kopcha, 84, died after a brief illness Sept. 16, 2019 at home.  He was born, Sept. 08, 1935 in Waterford, NY (just outside Albany), the son of Metro James and Mary Elizabeth Kopcha.

Paul graduated from Northeastern University in 1959 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  While at Northeastern, he met his lovely bride, Mary "Marie" Florentin.  They were married in 1959 and spent the last 60 years together, mostly in Southern, CA.  Following graduation from Northeastern, Paul served on active duty with the United States Army from 1960 to 1963.  After active duty, Paul served with the United States Army Reserves until his retirement on Sept. 08, 1995.  He retired as a Colonel with the United States Army.  As an Electrical Engineer, Paul worked with Solar Power Systems before retiring from General Dynamics.

Paul loved the outdoors.  He loved to fish (both trolling and fly fishing), camp and hunt (mainly small game).  He also had a long passion routing for his beloved San Diego Padres and the San Diego Chargers, even after they left San Diego.  He was a devout Christian and attended Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Poway.  However, Paul was happiest by the side of his beautiful bride Marie.  He would often tell people of the story how they met at a dance by my dad telling his friends he was going to take the woman in the green dress.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Marie, is daughter Theresa "Terri" Marie Lacy and her husband, Scott, of Rancho Santa Fe, his son James "Jim" Metro Kopcha and his wife, Suzanne, of Cincinnati, OH; six grandchildren Bradley Thomas Carlson and his husband, Chad, Brett Parker Carlson, Tyler James Carlson, Daniel James Kopcha, and Miranda Nicole Kopcha; 1 great grandchild Zayden Daniel Carlson, and many cousins.

A viewing will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Monday, Sept. 30 ^th at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church located at 16905 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, Oct. 01 ^st at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church followed by a burial service at 1:00pm at Miramar National Cemetery located at 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122.  A repass (funeral reception) will be held after the burial service at St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Paul in a special way may make gifts in his memory to St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church or the American Cancer Society.