Daniel John Copans, 77

REHOBOTH BEACH - Daniel John Copans of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Sarasota, Fla., died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, in Courtland Manor, Dover, after a courageous struggle with Parkinson"s Disease. He was 77.

Mr. Copans was born in Huntington, N.Y., son of the late Daniel and Edna (Niver) Copans.

He had been a resident of Delaware since 1969, moving here from Arlington, Va.

Mr. Copans was a member of the Alumni of Union College, class of 1951.

He worked for the Defense Department in Washington, D.C., for 25 years, retiring in 1979.

Mr. Copans enjoyed riding bicycles, watching sports, going to the beach, cooking and reading the Washington Post.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Milton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Paula Lucacek Copans, in 1986; and a brother, Billy Copans.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Pauline E. Copans; seven children, Danny J. Copans and his companion Diane of San Francisco, Calif., Christopher J. Copans and his wife Marilyn of Vienna, Va., Brian M. Copans and his wife Pam of Athens, Ohio, William B. Copans and his wife Judy of Sterling, Va., Leslie D. Gibson and her husband Barry of Astor, Fla., Jennifer E. Johnson and her husband Steve of Vienna, and Thea C. Kelleher and her husband Steve of Vienna; two stepchildren, Jodi E. Johnson and her husband Paul of San Francisco and Lt. Col. Joseph S. Rogers and his wife Yolanda of Hawaii; two sisters, Mary Jayne Cannella and her husband Gus of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Patricia Townsend and her husband Jack of Naples, Fla.; 13 grandchildren, Amy, Aubrey, Aleksandr, Christopher and his wife Gabi, Daniel, Emma, Eleanor, Mollie, Max, Nathan, Roy, Riley and Shelly; two great-grandchildren, David and Cecelia, all who adored their Op Pop, Pe Pa, Papa Dan and Grandpa Dan; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday in St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Milton.

Burial will be private.

Contributions may be made to American Parkinson"s Disease Association, J. Louis Blumberg Chapter, 332 Gerard Ave., Elkins Park, PA 19027; or Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Milton.