Lyle E. Copeland

Passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday April 23, 2022. Lyle was a lifelong resident of Wyoming County, living the majority of his life in Gainesville, NY. He was born January 14, 1947 in Warsaw, NY to the late Carl and Thelma (Pierce) Copeland, one of six brothers. He spent his early years farming, enjoying the outdoors, and showing cattle with his father, while earning an education.

Lyle met the love of his life, Brenda L. (Potter) Copeland in Pike, NY where they were married in 1969 and started their lives together. Shortly after their daughter Cheryl was born, they built their life-long home in Gainesville and welcomed their son Chris to the world. They spent over 52 years together building a family and a home, later welcoming their grandchildren, Devin, Brittney, Brendan, and Charlotte to the family.

Lyle attended Letchworth Central School, Genesee Community College, and Edison Tech, and worked diligently his entire life. Lyle was a hard worker and skilled craftsman who worked for several companies, including his own. He was the owner of C&C Truck Repair and ServBest Transport, both in Gainesville, NY, and worked as the Northeast Fleet Maintenance Manager for Nu Car Carriers in Buffalo, NY, Heavy Equipment Mechanic for M&G Convoy in Buffalo, NY, Diesel Mechanic for DeCarolis Trucks in Rochester, NY, Program Coordinator for Rural Opportunities for Wyoming County, and Instructor at Alfred State University, Genesee Community College, and BOCES. He was a certified welder, master diesel mechanic, NYS licensed vehicle inspector, and licensed CDL operator. He was also a former Mayor for the Village of Gainesville, Cub Scout Pack leader, volunteer firefighter, and fundraiser for various organizations, including the Caravan for Cancer and United Way.

Driven by perpetual curiosity, Lyle was a self-taught renaissance man, mastering a wide variety of skills and knowledge and positively impacted the lives of so many others along the way. He enjoyed learning and finding solutions to nearly any building, mechanical, or life challenge. He took great pride in what he built, planted, raised, and repaired, and in teaching others. He was a mechanic, welder, farmer, naturalist, electrician, woodworker, roofer, plumber, professional driver, mason, equipment-operator, carpenter, teacher, community-volunteer, business-owner, and leader. This persistent curiosity also drove him to be an extensive traveler throughout Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and North America, where he enjoyed seeing new sites, learning new cultures, and meeting new people. He spent most of his time enjoying his home and shop in Gainesville, NY, farm and cabin property in Wethersfield, NY and vacation home in Port Charlotte, FL.

Above all, Lyle was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was (and will continue to be in spirit) the bedrock of the family he loved, always there to lend a hand or offer much needed guidance. In later years, he would earn the moniker “Grandpa the Wise” by his grandchildren, rooted in his innate ability to do just about anything imaginable. He was a supportive and compassionate son and son-in-law, helping to take care of his and his wife’s parents as they aged, and a caring brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, and friend. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by his family.

Lyle was a man of unbridled strength and compassion. He was a calming voice, a guiding hand, a builder, a fixer, a mender of hearts, a laugh when you needed one, a shoulder to cry on, and the strong post when you needed someone to lean on. He leaves his legacy in the family he helped build, the people’s lives he impacted, and his countless creations large and small.

Lyle is survived by his wife Brenda, their two children Cheryl (John) and Christopher (Jessica) and five grandchildren Devin, Brittney, Brendan, Charlotte, and Lilah. He is also survived by brothers John (Valerie) and Richard (Debroah), sister-in-law Joann, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by father Carl, mother Thelma, and brothers Everett, Gary, and Kenneth.

Friends and family may call on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Robinson & Hackemer Funeral Home, 246 N. Main St., Warsaw. There will be a celebration of Lyle’s life immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to: Pike Community Church, 52 E. Main St., Pike, NY 14130 or HomeCare and Hospice, 563 West Main St, Arcade, NY 14009, homecare- hospice.org.