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.

Francis X. Coppinger
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 23rd Suffolk District
In office
1975–1977
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byCharles Robert Doyle
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 14th Suffolk District
In office
1969–1973
Preceded byRobert L. Cawley
Succeeded byMichael J. Connolly
Personal details
Born(1935-03-12)March 12, 1935
Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts
DiedJuly 9, 2020(2020-07-09) (aged 85)
West Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCatherine (O'Neill) Coppinger
Children8 (including Edward)
Alma materBoston College
Portia Law School
OccupationAttorney

Early life edit

Coppinger was born on March 12, 1935, in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.[1][2] 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.[2]

Political career edit

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.[2][3]

Personal life edit

Coppinger and his wife, Catherine, had eight children.[2] 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.[4]

References edit

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