Harold “Bud” Copeland Jr., 88, a lifelong and proud resident of Middletown, passed away June 1 peacefully, at home with his family by his side.
Bud was born Oct. 31, 1930 in Kenilworth, a son of the late Mildred and Harold Copeland Sr. His family moved to Middletown when Bud was 1 year old. Bud was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When he returned, he and his father built several homes in the Middletown area and, in fact, the home Bud lived in was one that he built. They also started H. Copeland and Son Garage Doors in 1949 and Bud continued the family business until they closed in 2006 when he retired.
Bud was always active in his community. He was the past president of the Rotary Club of Middletown and the Middletown Camping Club. He was the past vice-president of Middletown Helps its Own and the former director of the Continental Drum and Bugle Corp where he also played the bugle and French horn. When Bud was not busy working at the business he absolutely loved, you could find him woodworking in his workshop, often building pieces that his wife Sharon sketched out. And if he was not there, then he was probably with Sharon touring the countryside in their motorhome.
Bud is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years Sharon Copeland and his children: daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Gary Gromack; son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Diane Copeland; and son Laurence Schachtel Jr. Bud also leaves behind four grandchildren: Jason, Addison, Joshua and Rachel, along with two great-grandchildren, Jason Jr. and Eden.
Bud was predeceased by his sister Norma Copeland and his grandson Charlie Gromack.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, at the church he belonged to, All Saints Memorial Episcopal Church, 202 Navesink Ave., Highlands, 07716.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Middletown Helps its Own, 66 Main St., Port Monmouth, NJ 07758.
