Kenneth H. Copeland, 64 of West Wareham, died Thursday, July 17 at his home surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with cancer. He was the husband of Theresa M. Washburn-Copeland.

Born in Brockton, he was the son of the late Jean P. Blackwell and Richard H. Copeland of Middleboro and the stepson of the late Frederick Blackwell and his wife Evangeline. He attended high school in Brockton and East Bridgewater.

Mr. Copeland was employed as a correctional officer at Bridgewater State Prison. At his retirement, he had attained the rank of lieutenant.

Mr. Copeland served as Petty Officer First Class in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Kenneth and was a lifetime member of the National Association of Destroyer Veterans.

His hobbies included photography, scuba diving, metal detection, and fly-fishing, and he had a love for antique foreign automobiles. Mr. Copeland was also a former member of the Cape Cod British Car Club. He was also known as an accomplished southern-style cook.

Survivors include his wife and love of his life Theresa; his three stepchildren, Michael Washburn of Taunton, Aaron Washburn of Easton and Deborah Washburn-Pasquale of Foxboro; six grandchildren; his siblings, Sheila M. (Copeland) Gove of Nashua, NH, William Blackwell and his wife Christina of Oxford, Donna (Blackwell) Baxter and her husband Craig of Wareham, Brenda (Blackwell) Bukowski and her husband Paul of Palmer and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved dog Troubles. Ken enjoyed his life to the fullest and had no regrets.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 12:30 p.m. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery, East Bridgewater. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Donations in his memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 5 Manley St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379 OR New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Advancement Office, 3rd Floor, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com