Nathan Herbert Koppel

Nathan Herbert Koppel (Nate) died on April 25 at his home in North Chatham, Massachusetts with family at his side. Nate was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on January 19, 1936, to Albert Morris “Moe” Koppel and Elizabeth “Betty” Lee Glazer. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Gordon Koppel, his daughters, Jennifer Gordon (Bruce Rein) of Anchorage, AK, Meredith Remigino (Michael) of West Hartford, CT, Jill Gajewski (Walter) of Wilmington, NC, and Hilary Lipscomb (Kevin) of Danville, VA, his grandchildren, Alex, Andrew, Wally and Sophie Gajewski, Tess and Jacob Wilson, Matthew and Tyler Remigino, and Richard and Newt Gordon-Rein, his great-grandson Reese Gajewski, his brother, Morton Koppel (Seattle), and many nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces. Nate was predeceased by his sister Marlene Koppel Polman and son Todd Koppel.
Sports were Nate’s lifelong passion, beginning with playing baseball as a child and then adding basketball and football, lettering many times at New Britain High School where he was inducted into the New Britain High School Hall of Fame in recognition of his superb athletic abilities and leadership qualities. He was often described as excelling at any sport with a ball in it: baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, softball, bowling etc. His children and grandchildren like to dig out the old telegram from the Red Sox inviting him to tryouts when he was a senior at New Britain (CT) High School. After attending the Red Sox Farm Team tryouts, Nate opted to go to college instead of the minor leagues. He excelled at both basketball and baseball at Boston University. After ROTC at BU, he played baseball for the army at Ft. Bragg.
Nate pursued a career in education, most of which was spent as a guidance counselor at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT, where he guided students using his natural ability to truly listen and be a sensible, comforting presence. Throughout his career, Nate also coached and officiated for many of the high school teams, oftentimes to great success, whether it be in a winning record or in being an important mentor in the development of student-athletes.
Nate continued his love of sports for the rest of his life and enjoyed shooting hoops with his kids and grandkids and organizing “family softball” games. He spent decades playing Senior Softball on the Cape in the Senior Softball League (which was previously called the “Old Timers Softball League”), traveling with the teams to national senior softball tournaments and winning several. He played golf first at home in Connecticut, mainly at Stanley Golf Course, then on the Cape at Captains where he worked as a ranger, and most recently at Chatham’s Seaside Links with buddies who were diligent about playing three times a week all year and in all weather, including winter cold and wind. Balls were like magnets for Nate. When golfing, he would find dozens of balls that other players left for lost in the bushes.
Nate took the greatest joy in his family, both in times spent together and just in hearing stories or seeing photos of things going on in everyone’s lives. With his devoted wife Phyllis, he enjoyed hiking Cape Cod trails with friends, skiing, playing tennis, traveling to Alaska, England, France, Greece, and various islands, and spending numerous retirement winters in Florida. Nate, a/k/a “Papa,” greatly enjoyed seeing and spending time with his loving grandchildren, whether watching them in their own athletic endeavors or playing with them when they visited the Cape or on visits to their homes.
Nate’s nonjudgmental nature, open smile and kindness were noticed and appreciated by neighbors, friends, and family alike, an ever-present comfort that will live forever in their hearts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Kidney Foundation.
A celebration of life will be held at the family home on May 11, 2025, from 12 to 3.