Middletown Honors Retiring Parks Director After Nearly 20 Years

For nearly two decades, Paul Kopera’s workday didn’t end when he left the office.

According to colleagues, it often continued through early morning texts and “delayed delivery” emails.

They were all driven by a singular focus: the more than 46,000 residents of Middletown Township.

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors last month honored Kopera, the outgoing parks and recreation director, as he retired after 17 and a half years of full-time service.

Counting his start as a part-time employee in 2006, Kopera’s tenure with the municipality would have hit the 20-year mark this May.

“To say that we’ll be sad to see him go doesn’t begin to express the collective feeling that I know our team and of course the township are feeling,” said Township Manager Eden Ratliff.

Kopera, who transitioned from a career in pension management to township service, was credited with leading some of the township’s most recognizable traditions.

Parks and Recreation Board member Missy Kitzmiller stated that Kopera’s professional relationships were the “engines” behind events like the 4th of July parade, “Groovin’ at the Gates,” and the annual holiday open house.

Former Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls recalled Kopera as an “excellent public servant” who ignored job descriptions to handle whatever task was at hand, from high-level planning to the physical labor of moving tables and chairs for meetings.

“All of those reachouts at all of those hours of the days are because he has ideas,” Teoli Kuhls said. “When those ideas come into his head to make this township a better place, he wants to talk to people.”

Patrick Graham, who worked with Kopera for 11 years as assistant parks and recreation director and now leads that office in Bristol Township, had praise for his boss.

“The township is going to greatly miss your leadership, your creativity, your New York sarcasm, and your 24/7, 365 delayed delivery emails and texts,” Graham said.

Supervisor Dana Kane, who first met Kopera at a volunteer cleanup event, praised his impact on the township.

“You’ve done such amazing work at making the quality of life of residents in Middletown high because of the work in Parks and Rec,” Kane said.

Supervisor Ryan Leighton, who worked under Kopera as a camp counselor years ago, described his impact as changing “a town from a place where people live in their separate homes, where they come together as a community.”

The township’s Youth Aid Panel recognized him for mentoring young people who had encountered the legal system.

Panel member Rita Bakshi said Kopera often understood the youth “better than we do.”

The supervisors also recognized Bill Whitaker, who retired after 46 years with the Public Works Department.

Whitaker began his career in 1980, a time when some township roads remained unpaved.

“Bill was an instrumental part of our crew,” said Public Works Director Eric Gartenmayer. “I can’t tell you numerous times where I asked his advice.”

The supervisors presented Kopera and Whitaker with plaques to commemorate their many years of service.

The Parks and Recreation Department faces more changes following the departures of Graham, the assistant director, and staff member Nicole Tener, both of whom recently joined Bristol Township.

Kitzmiller, the Parks and Recreation Board member, shared concerns about maintaining the department’s current momentum as it looks to fill positions.

Ratliff stated that the township’s focus is now shifting toward recruitment and keeping the department strong.