About the Fund
When friends remember Christopher N. Coppola, who died unexpectedly in March 2000 at age 33, they speak of his boundless energy, unflagging good humor, and infectious zest for life.
“He was the glue that kept all the rest of us together,” said Mary Murphy, whose older brother, Martin, was Chris’ classmate from kindergarten through graduation at Cardinal Newman High School. An only child, Chris considered the Murphy siblings — and many others — his extended family. “He was always with us,” she added.
After earning his degree from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, Chris returned to West Palm Beach to work with the Murphy family’s construction company. He later built a successful career as a certified commercial real estate appraiser with firms including Johnson & Parrish and Callaway & Price, contributing to major development projects throughout South Florida.
“Chris had more circles of friends than anyone could ever imagine,” said Martin Murphy. “He just loved being around people. He was a real gregarious person. Everyone felt he was their best friend.”
“He could always find something good about someone,” added Mary. “He really listened. He was a great friend to everyone. He could always make you laugh. He was an unbelievable person.”
Chris’s sudden loss left a void that inspired his friends to honor his memory in a lasting way. Led by the Murphy and Satter families, they established the Christopher N. Coppola Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The fund supports graduating high school seniors in Palm Beach County who plan to study real estate or related fields such as construction, architecture, urban planning, development, or appraisal.
“I think about him all the time,” said Martin. “This fund is a way to keep his name in circulation — especially for people just getting to know who he was.”
