[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LATE ANGELA R. COPPOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late 
Angela R. Coppola, housewife and mother, and lifelong resident of 
Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Coppola was a homemaker who raised 10 children 
and was active in many community organizations. Angela Coppola passed 
into the arms of the Lord on July 18, 2009 at the age of 83.
   Born Angela Sapienza on August 21, 1925 on Busti Avenue, on 
Buffalo's west side, she was the daughter of an immigrant from Sicily, 
Leonard Sapienza. Her father was born in the town of Ventimiglia di 
Sicilia, near Palermo Sicily, in 1894--and immigrated to Buffalo with 
his parents in 1900 at the age of 6. Mrs. Coppola graduated from Nardin 
Academy in 1942. She then earned an associate's degree from St. Mary's 
Business School in 1944. She married Joseph R. Coppola, also from 
Buffalo, in 1947 at Holy Angels Church. They had 13 children in 10 
years--8 sons and two daughters: Michael, Leonard, Joey, Jack, the late 
Mary, Peter, Paul, Robert, Richard, and Donna.
   Angela Coppola's life revolved around her children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren. They are her lasting legacy. At the time of 
her death, Angela had 31 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, with 
another on the way. The names of her grandchildren are as follows: 
Jennifer, Jill, Michelle, the late Joseph, Jeffery, Jamel, Christopher, 
Jacqui, Juliangela, Tommy, Katherine, Natalie, Eric, Bryan, Lindsey, 
Maria, Christine, Peter, Jr., Mark, Michael, Joseph, Laura, Robin, 
Kaitlin, Anthony, Janine, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Robbie, Christopher, 
Sarah, and Rebecca Angela. The names of her great-grandchildren so far 
are as follows: Serena, Arabella, Ryan, Miranda, Zachary, Hailee, and 
Nina Marie--with one due January 1, 2010.
   Over the years, Angela Coppola was active in the Altar and Rosary 
Society of Christ the King Catholic Church in Snyder, the Seton Guild, 
the Women's Committee of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society and 
the Canisius College President's Council, among other organizations. 
She was one of the first in the Buffalo area to lecture for Weight 
Watchers. She also demonstrated T-Fal cookware in local department 
stores.
   In November, 2008, Mrs. Coppola was honored to receive the Ernestine 
Nardin Distinguished Service Award at the President's Reception, Nardin 
Academy in Buffalo, NY. Mrs. Coppola was a frequent spectator at her 
children and grandchildren's sporting events over the years. In 2000, 
Christ the King School in Snyder presented her a trophy as Fan of the 
Millennium-Year.
   Mrs. Coppola's husband, Joseph R. Coppola, Ph.D, died in 2003 after 
56 years of marriage. Angela is survived by 3 younger brothers: Joseph, 
Nicholas and Leonard Sapienza, all residents of Buffalo, N.Y.
   Madam Speaker, I thank you and our colleagues for providing this 
opportunity for me to honor the legacy of a dedicated Western New 
Yorker, and I know that you and all of our colleagues join with me in 
paying tribute to Mrs. Coppola's service and to her memory.

                          ____________________