Francis X. Coppinger Explained

Francis X. Coppinger
Birth Date:12 March 1935
Birth Place:Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts
Death Place:West Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts
Nationality:American
Occupation:Attorney
Spouse:Catherine (O'Neill) Coppinger
Children:8 (including Edward)
Alma Mater:Boston College
Portia Law School
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 23rd Suffolk District
Term Start:1975
Term End:1977
Predecessor:District created
Successor:Charles Robert Doyle
Title2:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 14th Suffolk District
Term Start2:1969
Term End2:1973
Predecessor2:Robert L. Cawley
Successor2:Michael J. Connolly

Francis X. Coppinger (born March 12, 1935 – July 9, 2020) was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1969 to 1973 and 1975 to 1977.

Early life

Coppinger was born on March 12, 1935, in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.[1] He graduated from Roslindale High School, and after serving in the United States Marine Corps, earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College in 1957 and law degree from the Portia School of Law in 1960.

Political career

After a failed bid in 1966, Coppinger was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1968. He ran for the Massachusetts Senate in 1972, but lost. He returned to the House in 1975, but lost his reelection bid in 1976.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Boston City Council in 1981 and 1983, state representative in 1992 and 1995, and Suffolk County Register of Probate in 1996.[3]

Personal life

Coppinger and his wife, Catherine, had eight children. One son, Edward F. Coppinger, also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[4]

In 2012, a bridge on Park Street in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston was named the Honorable Francis X. Coppinger Bridge in his honor.[5]

Coppinger died on July 9, 2020.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1975-76. March 17, 2018.
  2. News: Vennochi . Joan . In District 6, A Tradition of Involvement . The Boston Globe . October 6, 1983.
  3. Web site: Francis X. Coppinger (D). PD43+ Massachusetts Election Statistics. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. March 17, 2018.
  4. Web site: Francis X. Coppinger . Legacy.com . 1 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Bridges named after former West Roxbury representatives . Chelsea . Diana . wickedlocal.com . August 20, 2012 . March 17, 2018.