Obituary of Richard Paul Coppersmith

Richard Paul Coppersmith “Dick”, 81: The Montana Mountain Man of Sheep Rock Farm, passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2023, after a long fight with prostate cancer.

He was a 1960 graduate of Belvidere High School. He then worked for Celanese in Belvidere, NJ. Dick’s entrepreneurial spirit then lead him to be the proud owner for over 30 years of Quality Outfitters Inc. and The Wear House in Stewartsville, NJ.

Dick, also known to some as The Chief, was an Eagle Scout and held a true reverence and deep love for Mother Nature and Father Sky. A lover of all that is Native American, turquoise, wood and Earth. Sheep Rock Farm was his sanctuary that he farmed and nurtured for 50 years, raising his two children Amy and Daniel. 

Blessed enough to live his final earthly days at Sheep Rock Farm proudly showing off his collections of arrowheads and interesting artifacts. Dick loved to travel, shoot guns and camp. Known for exquisite culinary creations such as “campfire escargot & lobster” and was always down for a good mushroom hunt. They just don’t make them like that anymore, so let’s keep the traditions alive. Cheers Dickie~ Forever in our hearts!

Pop Pop, you will forever be in our heart through stories as an ancestral guide with the best sense of humor to our descendants and we know you are now dancing around a tee-pee fire with your Indian headdress beating a drum calling out to all of the animal friends!

Dick is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arleen Carey Coppersmith, his parents, Howard Ezra (Sgt.112 Machine Gun BN WW1) & Hilda Green Coppersmith who hailed from Westminster, Maryland, until relocating to Hope NJ. Siblings Francis Ward Masterson, Howard Eugene Coppersmith, David Ralph Coppersmith and Audrey Fay Lukens.

Dick is survived by sister in law, Harriet Hosier Coppersmith, his favorite daughter Amy (husband Brian) and grandchildren Jesse Turcotte (wife Tiffany with great grandchildren Colt David and Layla Ann), Griffin Henry Turcotte, Campbell Avery Turcotte & Keaton Isabella Turcotte. His favorite son Daniel (wife Lauren and grandchildren Avery Harper and Finley Doyle) and many nieces, nephews, friends and no one was ever a stranger to the farm.

Celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Sunday June 25^th at 2:00 PM, at Flynn’s On The Hill, 341 Pursel Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Guests are invited to stay after the service for food, drink and fellowship until 5:00 PM. Arrangements are under the care of Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Washington, NJ. To send condolences to the family please visit www.knolldevoefh.com