SALEM- Mr. Peter Copelas Jr. 79, of Salem died March 31st, 2016 at Salem Hospital.

Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Peter E. Copelas Sr. and Helena (Rooney) Copelas. He was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1954, where he served as Vice President. He continued his education at the University of Maine, Orono, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.

Mr. Copelas began his professional career as an Engineer for a defense contractor in both Washington, D.C. and California. In 1961, he returned to Salem to join the family company, Peter's Laundry, on Boston Street. Mr. Copelas was the proprietor and director of Peter's Laundry for over 30 years. He was an efficacious and progressive entrepreneur and businessman who enjoyed real estate development throughout the North Shore and Cape Cod.

A love of the ocean and sailing began at a young age for Peter. He found great happiness being on the water throughout his life. For many years, he captained "Windrift," a 42-foot Morgan Out Islander ketch that he docked at Hawthorne Cove Marina. Through his love of the ocean and boating, he forged many life long memories and friends.

As dedicated to his business and family as Peter was, he was just as devoted to his faith. He was stalwart in his commitment to the First Church Salem, Unitarian Universalist. He served as a Deacon and on every committee at the church through his over 50 year membership. He taught Sunday school with great zeal and was continually willing to assist the church in any and all capacities in which he was called.

He enjoyed spending his winters in Ft. Pierce, Florida and appreciated time spent at his second home in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, with his beloved companion of over 20 years, Krissta King.

Peter is survived by his children, Peter A. Copelas of Salem, Linda Jones and her husband Terrance Jones of Reading, Heather Copelas and her husband Wayne Darragh of Quincy and Christopher Copelas and his wife Sharon Copelas of Salem, his grandchildren, Peter Jason Copelas, Sarah Hofheins Copelas, Victoria Ward Copelas, Terrance Baxter Jones, Amanda Elizabeth Jones, Robert Troy Jones, Christopher Michael Copelas, Amy Theresa Copelas, Alyssa Marie Copelas and Kaitlin Nicole Copelas, His companion, Krissta King of Salem and her children, Laurie Teresa Cox of Ft. Pierce, Fl and Aimee Catherine Brito and her husband James of Hobe Sound, Fl and their children, Kyle Wayne Cox, Austin Tyler Cox, Trent Reese Cox, Kayla Marie Cox, Jake Edward Brito, Margaret "Maggie" Joan Brito and Addison Catherine Brito. He is also survivied by his former wife Barbara (Boone) Hughes.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be held in The O'Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Sq., (At Salem Common) Salem, Thursday, April 7th from 4 to 7 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited. His Memorial Service will be held in the First Church in Salem, Unitarian Universalist, 316 Essex St., Salem, Saturday, April 9th at 11 A.M.. Committal in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem is private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Peter's memory to the Home for Little Wanderers, Development, 10 Guest St., Boston, Ma 02135. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .