Paul I. Kopelman

Paul Kopelman has passed, yet his glorious voice

 never dies.

“A life well-lived doesn’t end any more than music ends….it echoes through time with whispers of beauty and grace.  If we listen, we can hear the encore with our hearts, for the song plays on, just as love lives on.”   —Anonymous

          At 2a.m. on May 12^th 2025, Paul Kopelman claimed his parking space in Heaven. Knowing Paul, he probably chose to park in the back of the lot, collecting shopping carts on his way to the Pearly Gates. Paul was also fondly known as “Clancy” and “Danny Boy”

His love continues to live on through his “gorgeous queen” Roberta, with whom he enjoyed life and marriage for sixty-four years. His daughters, Felicia and Samara, have accompanied Paul through life and will continue to sing his praises along with Paul’s sons-in-law, David and Jeffrey. His girls were his pride and joy.

Paul was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on June 7^th, 1929. He proudly graduated from Somerville High School and from the College of Business Studies at Boston University. He referred to C.B.S. at Boston University as “Coloring Book School”. He then took over the family business, The Elliot Market on Medford Street in Somerville until the mid-1980s. While working six days a week at the store, he worked nights and weekends being a Randolph Auxiliary Police Officer. You could hear many horns beeping him as they passed by St. Mary’s and St. Bernadette’s Parishes every weekend during masses.  He was a very popular and beloved officer in town.

After the Elliot Market, he worked his way up from salesman to Sales Manager at the Simpson Spring Beverage Company. He loved that company; the history, his co-workers, the quality product, especially Moxie and driving the Moxie Horse. Shortly after the company was sold, he procured work at Securitas in Quincy as a Security Guard. Although the word “retirement” was not in his vocabulary, Paul was encouraged to retire from his full-time job at Securitas due to heart issues at age 85.

His family believes that Paul’s gift to share with others on Earth was to sing…and audiences agreed.  His glorious voice filled churches from when he was a young man.  In 1961, Paul was on “The Ted Mack and the Original Amateur Hour”, which was similar to today’s “The Voice” television show. He took the train to New York City by himself because the studio only allowed him one hotel room.  He and Roberta were engaged, so she could not accompany him for his debut because they could not share one hotel room. “What would the neighbors think?”

Paul performed for over 90 years. In recent times, he entertained on cruise ships, churches, memory care centers, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes with his talented daughters and son-in-law accompanying him. He is all over YouTube where standing ovations abound. He sang “In the Garden” just days before his passing, surrounded by an amazed audience. Both of Paul’s daughters are professional singers, musicians and performers due to Paul and Roberta’s love of music, support and encouragement. He applauded his way through his daughters’ lives by encouraging them to perform every Sunday evening in their living room when they were little, even building them a stage in the backyard from the ground up. Then, neighborhood shows when they were teenagers, high school and community band and theater productions, and more recently in public settings.

Paul’s most beloved performances were singing “Remember Me” and “A, You’re Adorable” to his wife every morning. Roberta was his Beloved, his one-and-only, the love of his life, and his gorgeous queen.

No matter what activity Paul was doing, there was singing involved coupled with his radiant, larger-than-life smile. If he were gardening, working on home improvements, carpooling his children or even watching Judge Judy, there would be singing during breaks and commercials. Paul’s life was filled with love and music.

He loved his girls beyond measure and supported them through all their endeavors through life. From schlepping Samara’s drum for miles in Colonial Pipers’ parades when she was 8, to singing at Felicia’s piano bars on the South Shore of Boston. He also loved and adored his sons-in-law, who were truly his sons.  He even had deep love and affection for the dogs he adored throughout his life. Felicia’s greyhound, Tango, was serenaded daily with the Irish song, “DID YOUR MOTHER COME FROM IRELAND?”  Paul made family friends cry with his rendition of “Danny Boy” and laugh with “Clancy Lowered the Boom”.

Paul was always present at ANY time, day or night. His wisdom and guidance were immeasurable and his laughter, infectious. What he wanted most for his family was to live life without worry or regrets. He wanted only the best for his family and everyone he encountered throughout his life.

Whoever met Paul, loved Paul. He was the epitome of unconditional love, free of judgment, intelligent, wise, fun, funny and exceptionally kind. From his birth until his passing, Paul filled this world with light, levity and love. He truly lived life as a celebration every day.

Today and every day, we choose to celebrate Paul and his lifelong legacy of love, humor, wisdom, laughter…and of course, singing.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 18^th at 1pm at Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.