Friday, November 6, 2026
We are saddened to announce the passing of George Robert Kopriva of Marco Island, Florida. Like his sister, Madeline, before him, he chose to leave us on Easter Sunday. Born August 23rd, 1931, in Fallston, Pennsylvania, he was the son of George Kopriva and Bertha Siljevinac (anglicized to Sullivan). George was proud of his Croatian heritage, as both maternal and paternal grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Croatia.
At the age of 14, George entered the seminary to study for the priesthood. After three years of religious life, he returned to Fallston and graduated in 1949 from New Brighton High School. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Guam during the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged, George entered Wentworth College in Boston, from which he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer. That year, he married Marilyn Levey and together they raised six children, prior to their divorce in 1983. As an engineer, one of George’s most renowned projects was the King Khalid City, a five-mile-square military city, built in the desert of Saudi Arabia. George designed and oversaw the construction of the heating and air facilities for the entire city. The city built in the 1970s still exists.
In 1991, George moved to Naples, Florida, where he and his sons, Greg and Chris, developed and marketed a software product called Caterease. While training a U.S. Airbase in Germany on the use of his software, he fell in love with the little city on the Rhine called Rüdesheim. For many years, George has made several trips to Rüdesheim, where he has made many friends. He considers Rüdesheim his second home.
George is survived by his wife, Gigi, the love of his life, his constant companion, and dance partner. George and Gigi are known as Marco’s dancing duo. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Judy Maybray, of Katy, Texas; his six children: Karen Topham (Dirk), of Chicago, Illinois; Kathy Medina, of Derry, New Hampshire; Gregory Kopriva (Brooke) of Naples, Florida; Margaret (Meg) Russo (Phillip) of Naples, Florida; Maureen Bland (Craig) of Contoocook, New Hampshire; and Christopher Kopriva (Maryann) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He is also survived by two stepchildren, Curtis Brand (Michelle) of Ballston Spa, New York, and Julene Patch (Keith) of Burnt Hills, New York. He has 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Madeline “Siss” Ellis, Carol “Toots” McGaffic, and by his former wife, Marilyn.
A celebration of life will be held on Marco Island on his 94th birthday, August 23, 2025.
Coastal Breeze News May 8, 2025
