Chester Joseph Kopanski, 77, of Lititz, PA, beloved husband and father passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County Essa Flory Center.

Born on July 4 ^th , 1934 in Coatesville, PA, he was the son of the late Anthony S. and the late Wanda Kopanski. Chester was the husband of Madeline M (Staneski) Kopanski, to whom he was married for 52 years.

Chet was a graduate of S. Horace Scott Senior High School in Coatesville PA and a 1959 graduate of Penn State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Chet spent 15 years with General Electric in the Aerospace Industry.  He participated in the Manned Orbital Laboratory and space exploration projects.

He served in the US Army in a special program for aero space.

In 1970-72 he attained certification as a CFP Financial Planner and spent several years in the financial industry.  From 1974 until 2002, Chester was the owner of Spring Gulch Resort in New Holland, PA and Mill Bridge Village and Camp Resort in Paradise, PA from 1992 until 2002.  He retired in 2002.

He was a member of Bent Creek Country Club and enjoyed golfing, traveling, reading, and the Maryland shore. Chet's fondest memories were the times he spent at the beaches of Rehoboth, DE golfing with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Chet is survived by a daughter, Mary, wife of Richard A. Casselbury, of Lititz, son, Brian Kopan, husband of Kris, of Lititz, and four grandchildren, Julia and Blaise Casselbury, Andrew and Taylor Kopan. Also surviving is a brother, Edward M. Kopanski, of State College, PA, a sister, Wanda A. Sandoski of Parkesburg and a sister-in-law, Dolores Kopanski, of Coatesville and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Kopanski.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 1pm from St. John Neumann Catholic Church 601 E. Delp Rd. Lancaster, PA with The Rev. Paul Bryan as Celebrant. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ephrata, PA. A viewing will be held on Tuesday morning from the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike Lititz, PA from 10am to 12:15pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Chet's memory may be sent to ARPKD/CHF Alliance (Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease/ Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis), PO Box 70 Kirkwood PA 17536. To send the family an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100