LifeStory

Joseph Garvin Coplin

Joseph’s long life history

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Joseph Garvin Coplin, who died peacefully and naturally in the early morning hours of Friday, July 17th, 2020, at the assisted living facility he called home in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joseph, who was 99 years of age, left us exactly three months shy of his 100th birthday, which was in October.

After growing up in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Joseph attended the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in Business Administration. After graduation and a few months after the United States entered World War II, Joseph did what many men his age did at the time...he joined the U.S. Army...after boot camp he was sent to the Army’s post on the island of Trinidad, where he helped organize supplies that were sent to the military campaigns in Northern Africa and in Europe. In 1945 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Joseph earned several awards while serving his country, which included the Good Conduct ribbon, American Campaign medal, and the World War II Victory medal. 

After he returned to Harrisburg, Joseph joined the family vending business. During those years, he married his first wife, Harriet Coplin, who eventually succumbed to cancer in 1993. They had two daughters, Wendy Cabin and Rebecca Gant who preceded his passing a few years ago. He found love once again when he met Carole Raiken, a widow of 10 years. They starting dating while working together at their local Publix supermarket. Joseph and Carole married in August 1994 and had 23 happy years together.

They traveled on many cruise vacations to the Caribbean and Northern Europe, not to mention road trips to visit relatives out-of-state. Carole passed away in April 2017 after a short illness at the age of 86. Joseph recently lost his brother-in-law Ronald Isaacman who was married to his only remaining sibling, Joan Isaacman, who still resides in Harrisburg.  

Joseph is survived by many loved ones, which include: son-in-law Ed Gant (Denham Springs, LA); his four step-children Les Raiken (Ft Lauderdale, FL); Charles and Judith Raiken (Delray Beach, FL); Barry Raiken and significant other Linda Simpson (Pompano Beach, FL): Mindy Cochran and her significant other Tom Carrick (Palm City, FL). He also has many surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren including Pam and Marcus Michelli and their children Jocelyn and Jacob (Castle Rock, CO); Jenna Gant and her daughter Harper (Littlestown, PA); Jeremy Gant and his significant other Georgina Campos and their daughter Nora Rebecca (Houston, TX); Jennifer Raiken and her significant other Will Morales (Boynton Beach, FL); Kimberly Raiken (Delray Beach, FL); Rachel and Tobias Nietzel and her son Nolen Yablon (Pompano Beach, FL); Michael Cochran (Palm City, FL); Bryan Raiken and his significant other Amanda DiNorcio and their daughter Sadie (Beachwood, NJ); Christina and Christopher Defeis and their sons Riley and Mason (Toms River, NJ);Cori Raiken, Shelby Raiken Smith, and Jake Raiken (Winter Park, FL)

Joseph Garvin Coplin
Celebration
Les Raiken
Les Raiken
It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Joseph Garvin Coplin, who died peacefully and naturally in the early morning hours of Friday, July 17th, 2020, at the assisted living facility he called home in Boca Raton, Florida.#Joseph, who was 99 years of age, left us exactly three months shy of his 100th birthday, which was in October.#After growing up in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Joseph attended the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in Business Administration. After graduation and a few months after the United States entered World War II, Joseph did what many men his age did at the time...he joined the U.S. Army...after boot camp he was sent to the Army’s post on the island of Trinidad, where he helped organize supplies that were sent to the military campaigns in Northern Africa and in Europe. In 1945 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Joseph earned several awards while serving his country, which included the Good Conduct ribbon, American Campaign medal, and the World War II Victory medal. After he returned to Harrisburg, Joseph joined the family vending business. During those years, he married his first wife, Harriet Coplin, who eventually succumbed to cancer in 1993. They had two daughters, Wendy Cabin and Rebecca Gant who preceded his passing a few years ago. He found love once again when he met Carole Raiken, a widow of 10 years. They starting dating while working together at their local Publix supermarket. Joseph and Carole married in August 1994 and had 23 happy years together.They traveled on many cruise vacations to the Caribbean and Northern Europe, not to mention road trips to visit relatives out-of-state. Carole passed away in April 2017 after a short illness at the age of 86. Joseph recently lost his brother-in-law Ronald Isaacman who was married to his only remaining sibling, Joan Isaacman, who still resides in Harrisburg. #Joseph is survived by many loved ones, which include: son-in-law Ed Gant (Denham Springs, LA); his four step-children Les Raiken (Ft Lauderdale, FL); Charles and Judith Raiken (Delray Beach, FL); Barry Raiken and significant other Linda Simpson (Pompano Beach, FL): Mindy Cochran and her significant other Tom Carrick (Palm City, FL). He also has many surviving grandchildren and great grandchildren including Pam and Marcus Michelli and their children Jocelyn and Jacob (Castle Rock, CO); Jenna Gant and her daughter Harper (Littlestown, PA); Jeremy Gant and his significant other Georgina Campos and their daughter Nora Rebecca (Houston, TX); Jennifer Raiken and her significant other Will Morales (Boynton Beach, FL); Kimberly Raiken (Delray Beach, FL); Rachel and Tobias Nietzel and her son Nolen Yablon (Pompano Beach, FL); Michael Cochran (Palm City, FL); Bryan Raiken and his significant otherAmanda DiNorcio and their daughter Sadie (Beachwood, NJ); Christina and Christopher Defeis and their sons Riley and Mason (Toms River, NJ);Cori Raiken, Shelby Raiken Smith, and Jake Raiken (Winter Park, FL)
Joseph Garvin Coplin
Celebration