[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MICHAEL N. COPPOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2023

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the late Michael N. Coppola. He was an outstanding man of character who 
touched the lives of countless people and contributed to the betterment 
of the Buffalo community.
  He was born at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York on 
August 25, 1948. He was the oldest of 10 children of Angela Coppola and 
Dr. Joseph R. Coppola. He attended Christ the King School in Snyder, 
New York, moving on to Canisius for high school. He continued to attend 
Canisius through college, where he earned a degree in Business 
Administration and Management. He was honored as an Outstanding 
Graduate by Canisius College in 2016.
  At the age of 16, Michael Coppola began working as a stock boy for 
Tops Markets. Over the next 33 years, he climbed the ranks within the 
company, eventually earned the title of Executive Vice President of 
Marketing. He was considered an innovator in the supermarket industry, 
even opening up the first Tops International Store in order to meet the 
demands of the diverse cultures living within the City of Buffalo and 
the metropolitan area.
  Michael Coppola was regarded as a dear friend, mentor, teacher, and 
inspiration both within and outside of the Tops company. It gave him 
great joy to guide and mentor others throughout his life and career; 
his lifelong motto was ``Choose Love.'' Before his passing, he was able 
to organize a reunion with his former Tops colleagues, further 
strengthening his local community. His leadership and dedication to 
God, family, and community will be sorely missed by all who knew and 
loved him.
  Michael Coppola passed into the arms of the Lord on August 21, 2022. 
On the day of Michael Coppola's funeral, Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, proclaimed October 29, 2022, as ``Michael N. Coppola 
Day'' in the City of Buffalo and joined his family and friends in 
celebration of his life and selfless legacy.
  Michael Coppola leaves behind to cherish his children Jennifer, Jill, 
Michelle, the late Joseph, and Jeffrey; his grandchildren the late 
Angelina, Serena and Arabella, Ryan and Miranda, Zach, Hailee and 
Addison; his siblings Leonard, Joe, Jack, the late Mary, Peter, Paul, 
Robert, Richard, and Donna--and a host of other family members and 
loving friends.

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