GERARD COPPOLA: The Rock 'n' Roll
Grandpa
Already
at age 12, he was a broadcasting nut. He bought a
two-watt transmitter, built a mini-radio station in his
basement in East Orange, N.J., and began broadcasting,
rock 'n' roll and personal musings throughout the town.
His friends loved it.
Gerard Coppola's love of broadcasting and music was
the central thread of his life. Mr. Coppola, who was also
known as Rod and JRod, was antenna engineer for WNET,
Channel 13, on the 110th floor of the World Trade
Center's north tower. His Web site -- NJPeople.com/jrod
-- lives on and features his doleful songs. Not only did
he mix the songs, but he sang and played all the
instruments Ð guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.
"Gerard was a dreamer," said his sister, Cynthia.
"These are the peopl who are visionaries, who are
risk-takers. They dare to listen to their own
voices."
As a teenager, he began playing in rock bands and
writing songs. At family gatherings, everyone wanted to
hear him tell stories. "People sought him out," his
sister said. "He had a gift. He was like the Pied Piper
of the family."
At home, he sought to bring his love of music to his
wife, Alice, and their four daughters, Angeline, 20,
Angela, 19, Delinda, 15, and Alison, 8. He would have
turned 47 today.
"When his first grandson, Andre, was born five months
ago," his sister said, "he came to my house and said,
`Cindy, I can't wait for you to see him. He's a gorgeous
baby.' He said, `I'm going to be such a cool
grandfather.'"
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