Dr. Nicholas Coppola leaves legacy of spreading kindness without recognition, friends say

Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·3 min read
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VERO BEACH — Dr. Nicholas Coppola was the type of person who would drop what he was doing to help someone in need, even after suffering his own personal tragedy, his friends said.

Coppola, 58, died Friday from a heart attack, just hours after playing in the Quail Valley Charity Cup tennis tournament.

He's remembered by friends and family as someone who always tried to help others and who participated in many community organizations. He and his wife, Elaine, created the Live Like Cole Foundation soon after their 16-year-old son, Cole, died in 2014 after being hit while riding his bicycle over the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.

Nicholas Coppola
Nicholas Coppola

"His love for children, people and our community led him to participate in the many nonprofits and charities. Through these actions, he tried to leave a legacy of love that would impact in the lives of many," family friend Tracey Zudans said in a statement.

The community's loss is immense, said friends, citing numerous examples of Coppola's service to the community.

"I am going to miss him tremendously. The community is going to miss him tremendously," County Commissioner Joe Flescher said. "He just wanted to make people's lives better."

Coppola had a gift of talking with someone he didn't know and befriending the person by the end of the conversation, Flescher said.

More: In wake of beloved physician's death, Coppola family offers words for action

Nick Coppola (left), father of Cole Coppola, finishes singing "Happy Birthday" for his son at the end of the Live Like Cole Dock commemoration at Royal Palm Pointe on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Vero Beach. The ceremony was held on what would have been the 21st birthday for Cole Coppola, who was killed in 2014 at the age of 16 when he was hit by an intoxicated driver. Cole's mother, Elaine Coppola (not pictured), said, "You know, today is Cole's 21st birthday, and the weather has been so tricky lately, I just think that Cole was actually looking over us." She went on to add her son was not one for attention, but added, "I think just the fact that they have two safe spaces for kids and people and families to play and fish — he would be proud of this." One of the dock's sponsors, Jodi Harvey (center), cheers among the crowd of family and friends.

"He was one of the finest individuals I've ever met," Flescher said. "He did so much for so many without seeking or wanting recognition. He did it for the right reasons, because he wanted to do good for all people."

Memorial fishing pier: Construction begins on Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier at Vero Beach's Riverside Park

Live Like Cole Foundation: Vero Beach to get first bike-sharing program

Dock renovation: Live Like Cole Foundation covers dock repair costs at Royal Palm Pointe in Vero Beach

Coppola was known as a caring family practitioner, said county Tax Collector Carol Jean Jordan, who knew him as a friend and patient.

"His real love was practicing medicine," Jordan said. "He was such a good doctor. He just cared about everybody."

The Live Like Cole Foundation was created to memorialize Cole's name and promote kindness in the community.

The foundation raised money for the Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier at Riverside Park and a bike-sharing program and refurbished the Royal Palm Pointe docks in Vero Beach. The foundation was involved in the Tax Collector's Office Kids Tag Art program for fifth graders, and donated money to the Gifford Youth Achievement Center and other organizations.

"He was an absolutely incredible man," said Sheriff Eric Flowers. "He turned a tragedy (of the loss of his son) into so many good things for our community."

"There is a legacy of love in every corner of our community. His selflessness and passion to help others drove him to give and share," Zudans said.

He never wanted to take credit for the things he did, said Jordan.

"It's heartbreaking. It's devastating to think he's not here," Jordan said. "He was a special human being."

Coppola had stepped back from his family practice after Cole's death, but was returning to the medical field, friends said. He also planned to open a car wash on U.S. 1. He was the former chief executive officer of the Mental Health Association in Indian River County.

In addition to his wife, Coppola is survived by two daughters, Melanie and Mary Grace; one brother, Dr. Christopher Coppola; niece Madeline Coppola; nephew Christopher Coppola; uncle Bob Sordelet; father- and mother-in-law, Pat and Mary Lou Ciambriello; and his brother-in-law, Tino Ciambriello.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Thursday at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th St. A funeral Mass will be 4 p.m. Friday at St. Helen Catholic Church, with burial following at Crestlawn Cemetery, 1498 14th Ave. A public celebration of life is scheduled 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier in Riverside Park.

Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm.com. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCPalm.com or 772-978-2235.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Dr. Nick Coppola dies, Indian River County, community grieve together