Comer Coppie

DELMAR - Comer S. Coppie, 81, died Friday, April 11, 2014, in Albany, NY after a short illness. He was born on October 19, 1932 in Washington D.C. to the late John and Marion Coppie. He grew up in Miami, Florida and married Judith Wright in Toronto Ontario in 1961. Mr. Coppie received a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY and a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University. He also served in the US Navy for two years. He began his career as a Budget Analyst in the Maryland budget bureau in 1958 and later became Executive Director of the board of trustees of the Maryland State Colleges. Over his career he held many high level public service positions. Mr. Coppie was the Budget Director and Special Assistant under the first Mayor of Washington D.C., Walter E. Washington. He also served as Executive Director of the Emergency Financial Control Board for New York City from November 1978 through June 1896. In 1986 he was appointed as Senior Assistant Postmaster General of the United States. Mr. Coppie’s last public service position was as the first Deputy Comptroller for the state of New York. He enjoyed playing bridge, going to the opera in Cooperstown NY, the Williamstown Theater festival, and the Washington Redskins. Mr. Coppie is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith, daughter Cynthia, two sons, Sean and Scott, and two grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother Robert Coppie, other relatives and many friends. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 11am in St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 16 Elsmere Ave. Delmar. Relatives and friends may call at the CHRUCH prior to the mass beginning at 10am. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albany.