Charles Anthony Coppola

Charles Anthony Coppola, 82, of Tavares, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, surrounded by love. Charles was born on November 13, 1943, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the son of Felix and Rita Coppola. He was educated at St. Joseph High School and maintained a strong connection to his Massachusetts origins throughout his life. Charles was an entrepreneur at heart. In his early twenties, he ventured into retail and real estate ownership in Dalton, Massachusetts. He developed Greenridge Plaza and owned multiple properties, including the beloved neighborhood convenience store, Country Package & Variety, where he became a well-known and generous presence in the community. Actively involved in local politics, Charles made a lasting impression and was honored as Republican of the Year in 1972 by Governor Sargent. A passionate sports fan, he proudly held season tickets to the Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins during the 1970s and loved entertaining family and friends. In the 1980s, Charles followed his entrepreneurial spirit into the restaurant business, a venture he was especially proud to share with family members who worked alongside him. Though the business eventually closed, his pride in those years never faded. During the 1990s, he owned and operated several small retail businesses in Brooklyn, New York. Later, seeking a slower pace and wishing to be closer to his elderly mother, Charles relocated to Tavares, Florida – a move he described as a second call and a second chance. There, he worked in hospitality, where he thrived on interacting with guests and building connections. In 2009, Charles joined his son’s real estate platform as a scout, a role he embraced wholeheartedly. Over the next 15 years, he traveled hundreds of thousands of miles throughout Florida, earning a reputation as the ultimate “boots on the ground.” With a sharp eye for trends, site selection, and demographics, his handwritten notes—always delivered in person—were highly valued by the investment team. His career in real estate spanned 15 impactful years. Above all, Charles’s greatest joy was his family. He carefully planned his work around important family events, traveled whenever possible to be together, and gave his grandchildren his full and undivided attention. He especially loved going out to eat (and always insisted on paying), trips to the MGM in Biloxi with dear friends, and thoroughbred horse racing. Each year, he traveled north to visit family and attend the Haskell at Monmouth Park. Charles is survived by his former wife, Joyce Coppola; his daughter, Dina Coppola; his son, Dino Coppola, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Coppola; and his cherished grandchildren, Helena Coppola, Ava Coppola, and Jax Ross. He is also survived by his siblings, Anthony Coppola, Bruce Coppola, and Colette Coppola. He was predeceased by his parents, Felix and Rita Coppola, and his sisters, Jennifer Coppola and Tina Coppola. A service to honor Charles’ life and wishes will be held in Monmouth County, New Jersey in the spring.

Charles Anthony Coppola

November 13, 1943 - December 28, 2025