Richard Coppolino, director of college counseling at St. Francis Preparatory, passed away on Tuesday, October 24 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 64 years old.

He was held in high esteem by his colleagues, who note that Coppolino was the consummate student advocate.
Coppolino was born in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn on October 7, 1942. He attended St. Augustine High School and then moved on to Manhattan College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1964. In 1972, Coppolino completed his Masters in education, counseling and psychology.
Early in his career, Coppolino worked as a counselor at Power Memorial Academy, a boys' Catholic high school. He also taught earth science, chemistry and drivers' education for 20 years.
After Power Academy closed, Coppolino joined St. Francis Prep as the director of guidance.
&#8220He was a real gentleman and a professional counselor,” said Sister Barbara Coyle, a fellow guidance counselor who worked with Coppolino for 22 years.
Coppolino gradually became an important fixture at St. Francis Prep. He earned the title of director of college counseling and assisted thousands of students as they prepared for college.
In 2003 he received the Jack Callery Award for Excellence in School Counseling from the Catholic Secondary School Counselors of New York City.
Coppolino was also active with various
student activities such as the soccer team and student council. He would help organize school dances, the prom and ski trips with the ski club.
&#8220He was a Renaissance Man, so versatile in his approach to kids,” Father William Sweeney said at the funeral.
Coppolino is survived by his brother Michael Coppolino and his wife Mary Ann.
A funeral Mass was held in the Brother Ralph Clifford Memorial Auditorium at St. Francis Prep. Classes were suspended that day in memory of Coppolino. Burial followed at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island.