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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | Thomas G. Kopel |
| Address |
, Pennsylvania , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
August 16, 1941
(82 years)
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| Contributor | Barack O-blame-a |
| Last Modifed | Barack O-blame-a
May 23, 2004 02:59pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | Thomas G. Kopel was born on August 16, 1941. His parents, Tom Sr. an insurance man and volunteer fireman, and Margaret, a homemaker, instilled in him the importance of hard work and family from an early age.
Two days after graduating from high school in June, 1959, Tom began work on the shop floor in the foundry. Textile Machine Works, Reading. One year later, almost to the day, Tom enrolled at Albright College, working his way through college to his degree in four and a half years.
Graduating from Albright in 1964 with a B.A. in Economics, Tom joined the Air Force, got his Wings, and flew B-52 bombers with a top secret clearance in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). In 1967, Tom applied for, and was granted an active duty inter-service transfer to the U.S. Navy. After graduating from the elite "Top Gun" Naval Air Advanced Tactical Fighter Weapons School, Tom went to war, flying the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II off the aircraft carriers USS America and USS Constellation. As a member of Fighter Squadron VF-142, the Ghostriders, Tom flew more than 100 combat missions over Vietnam and northern Laos. He was awarded six Air Medals, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V". The "V" is given only for acts involving direct participation in combat operations. Tom is also a member of the Constellation Centurion Club, signifying over one hundred carrier landings at sea; Tom clocks in at well over 200.
In 1972, Tom left the Navy and returned to Pennsylvania with his wife Pam and their infant daughter, settling at 631 Main Street in Oley Township, Berks County. He established his own business, Thomas G. Kopel Inc., with offices in Oley, and later in Philadelphia, supplying antique textiles and carpets to the decorating trades and architectural professions.
In 1985, Tom's wife Pam was diagnosed with the first stages of uterine cancer. Pam underwent surgery that completely removed the cancer, and has been healthy ever since. The experience, however, made Tom aware of the terrible cancers that too many women face. He feels very strongly that there is currently not nearly enough funding for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer research. As Congressman, Tom would make finding cures for these terrible diseases a top priority.
Today, Tom is a licensed financial advisor and broker with Berkshire Capital Management in Wyomissing, is a member of the Naval Institute and is a Rotarian.
Tom has been married to the former Pamela Evans for 31 years. They have two daughters, Genevieve, and Ashley, a greyhound named Sweetie; and a canary named Pegasus. Home is Oley, Berks County.
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