Joshua "Norman" Chopy

Joshua (Norman) Chopy, 92, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at South County Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Norman, as he was lovingly named by his mother, was born in Central Falls on January 24, 1929. He was the son of Esa and Hannah Chopy. He attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Coastal Geodetic Survey as an ensign and served from July 1951 to March 1954 surveying rivers and oceans. In 1958, he graduated from the University of Illinois at Champagne Urbana with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. In 1960, Norman began his 28-year career with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) as a civil engineer. In that same year he met the love of his life, Hope, and they married on June 11, 1961. Norman and Hope lived in Cumberland and raised two children, David and Alan. Norman received many promotions at DOT and rose to the level of Chief Engineer. At the time of the construction of the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Federal government required that a DOT engineer be in charge of the project. Norman’s love of bridges led him to volunteer for the position and he oversaw the Jamestown Bridge project as Special Projects Chief. He was also instrumental in the completion of the Providence River Relocation and Waterplace Park projects. After leaving State service, he and Hope retired to Narragansett. They traveled extensively, including several trips to Europe and many trips to California and Florida. He loved golfing, and he once got a hole-in-one. He shot his age at 85, a longtime goal. He enjoyed gardening, reading, walking along the Narragansett seawall, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. Norman had a keen interest in learning, and one of his favorite places was the Narragansett library. His greatest pleasure was minding his grandchildren, Joshua and Lauren, and watching them grow. He and Hope introduced them to golf at Button Hole Golf, and Joshua was a Button Hole kid until 18. Norman is survived by Hope, his wife of almost 60 years, his sons David Chopy of East Providence and Alan Chopy of Coventry, David’s fiancée Mary Kay of Cranston, his grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews, family members and friends. He is predeceased by his sister, Anna Chopy, his brother, Joseph Chopy and his daughter-in-law, Diane Killerjian Chopy. Kindly omit flowers. Donations in Norman’s memory can be made to Button Hole Golf at One Button Hole Drive, Providence, RI 02909 or buttonhole.org or to South County Hospital at South County Health, Development Department, 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879 in support of the Intensive Care and Pulmonary Care units. Family and friends are invited to attend the calling hours at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, Wakefield on Sunday, June 6 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Family and friends are also invited to attend the funeral at the Redwood Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence on Monday, June 7 at 11:00 A.M. with burial immediately following.