Scott Kopen, 50, of Caldwell

Scott Kopen, 50, of Caldwell, died Sunday at home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at , 20 Academy Road, Caldwell. Arrangements were completed by “Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman” Suburban Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Kopen was born in New York City and lived in Union before moving to Caldwell.

He was a mortgage broker with New Jersey Lenders Co. of Little Falls and was graduated from Rutgers University.

Mr. Kopen was a member of Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex and was a past president of the Men’s Club.

He became ill last winter, but his illness didn't slow him down—he was a fixture at his sons' school performances and soccer, baseball and lacrosse games throughout the spring and summer seasons. Though his health was deteriorating, he continued to offer encouragement from the sidelines and beamed whenever one of his sons scored a goal or made a good play.

Because Mr. Kopen was a well-known father and coach in town, families from throughout Caldwell and West Caldwell rallied to help during his illness. Hundreds of people attended a fundraiser in April at the Cloverleaf Tavern where Scott Kopen came and greeted friends and neighbors and thanked them for their help.

Others participated in an event for Mr. Kopen held in Union County, organized by local friends who wanted to do their part to show their support.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Lavelle-Kopen; his father, Roy; his sons, Josh and Ben; his sister, Roberta Knauer and her husband Howard; Jeff Goldberg and his wife, Sidy and his brother, Paul. He was predeceased by his mother, Elsie, as well as his daughter, Micaela and his sister, Lori Ollwerther. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews.