Timothy Copeland

BARRE - Timothy "Squid" Copeland, 67, of Allen Street, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.

Born November 7, 1952 in Barre City, he was the son of Walter and Judy (Davis) Copeland. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Spaulding High School with the class of 1970. His incredible athletic ability brought with it offers to play college football. Squid gave these opportunities up and instead chose to stay close to home, where his family and friends were. He attended New Hampshire Technical College to study printing, but this just wasn’t for him.  So, the day after scoring 48 points in a basketball game for the college he left school to return home to the Barre that he loved and missed.

Squid’s life can be summarized in three words: family, friends, and sports. Like many kids in the 1960’s he would leave home in the morning and return at supper, spending his days with friends playing sports. His God-given ability to run faster, jump higher, move quicker and hit the ball further than others led the way to an impressive athletic career filled with championships. One after another, including a Little League state championship, a Little League Atlantic Coast championship with a win over Puerto Rico; a Babe Ruth State championship and a 1970 Vermont high school state championship at Spaulding High School. And along the way came many accolades, such as being named to Vermont’s All-State teams in football, baseball and basketball and being selected to the Shrine football game where he gained an MVP-like 140 receiving yards.

He began his working career in the printing business, working for L. Brown & Sons and the Times Argus. He ended his career with the City of Barre doing what he loved best by supporting the city’s sports facilities. He managed the BOR ice rink and drove the Zamboni machine, took care of “The Aud” and maintained the sports fields. It kept him involved with the local sports teams and he made many new friends along the way. He was very appreciative of Jeff Bergeron for this opportunity.

Squid’s personal life was filled with sports as well. He followed all New England sports, except of course, for the Patriots. If he wasn’t cheering for New England teams, or the Giants, you could find him at Thunder Road, Catamount Stadium, Bear Ridge or one of the many larger racetracks on the east coast. You could also run into him at Dente’s Market where he continued a tradition that his father started back in the 60s by stopping by every day to pick up and read the Boston Herald.

Squid was a battler and a fighter. He came back from several surgeries to continue to play sports and continue working until he was diagnosed with ALS. He had every reason in the world to complain or ask, ‘why me?’ but he never did. He had every reason in the world to ask for help, but he never did. He never wanted to burden anyone. If he could help anyone, he did, but when he needed help, he never asked. He fought off life’s challenges and ALS in the same manner that he fought off curve balls and approaching linebackers; aggressively. Never quitting and never stopping the fight. Squid was a man of few words and tempered emotion, but when he did speak, he said a lot. He always had the best one-liners that had everyone laughing. He lived the life the way he wanted, on his terms. He was a proud, hard-working, quiet, stubborn, thoughtful, overly kind person, loyal as the day is long, and a great friend.

Survivors include his brother Robert Copeland of Barre; his sister Peggy Brisco-Copeland of Ontario, CA; his sister-in-law Faith Copeland of Barre; his nieces and nephews Amanda, Ethan, Kacey, and Rob; his numerous great nieces and nephews; his step-nephew John Partlow; and his lifelong friend and caregiver Carol Patterson and her grandson Trent Gile, who was Squid’s best buddy.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother David.

Totally in character, Squid requested that there be no calling hours or services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Foundation, Northern New England Chapter, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 438, Concord, NH 03301 or to Barre Youth Sports Association, PO Box 821, Barre, VT 05641.

Squid’s family and friends would like to give a very special heartfelt thank you to Carol Patterson - a guardian angel - for taking such good care of him during his times of need.

Timmy “Squid” Copeland was a winner on and off the field and he will be missed. RIP our friend.