Real C. "Frenchie" Coupal, 84, Massena

MASSENA – Real C. Coupal “Frenchie”, 84, tragically died Tuesday evening, December 17, 2024, in Potsdam from injuries he suffered in a car accident.

Real was born in St. Armands, Quebec on September 19, 1940, the son of the late Roghel and Jeannette (Ploufe) Coupal.

As a young child, his family moved to St. Albans, Vermont, where he was raised and attended school, graduating from Bellows Free Academy. It was in grade school that he acquired the name “Frenchie” by his classmates because he could only speak French and had to learn the English language.

On July 29, 1960, Frenchie entered the US Army, serving in France from 1960 until 1963 as a military truck driver. He was honorably discharged on July 15, 1963 and continued to serve in the US Army Reserves until 1966.

He married Thelma E. Brindley on January 8, 1966 in St. Albans, Vermont.

Growing up in rural Vermont with humble beginnings, Frenchie learned the value of hard work and giving back to his community.

As a young man he was a paperboy and bagged groceries to provide extra income for his family.

After his marriage, he and his beloved, Thelma owned and operated the Coiff-Tique Salon in St. Albans.

His career in the automotive industry started washing cars for Simpson Motors.

After a period of time, he convinced the owners to let him sell cars. He flourished as a salesman in this small rural town because of his “French” connection with the rural French speaking farmers.

is career continued at Handy Pontiac, GMC, and Cadillac and later with Cobb Chevrolet for 5 years.

Always a visionary, Frenchie set out to own his own dealership which led him and his family to Massena in the spring of 1982 when they purchased John’s Chevrolet on Center Street. In September of 1989, he acquired Oldsmobile and moved to the current location.

Throughout the years, Frenchie’s Chevrolet flourished, adding Frenchie’s Selects in 2006 and Frenchie’s Ford in 2010.

Also to serve the community, Frenchie started a Towing and Recovery Business, upholstery and concepts business, and was also a Fisher and Meyer plow distributor.

As a young visionary in St. Albans, Frenchie learned the value of supporting your community as he joined the Jaycee’s.

He was instrumental in raising monies for the community needs of St. Albans, a value that continued when he arrived in Massena.

He supported his community in so many ways as a board member, financial supporter, fundraising chairperson, bell ringer, meal deliverer, and honorary fireman to name just a few.

Frenchie was also a proud Rotarian, always there to lend a hand at their many events.

A man of deep faith, he supported St. Peter’s Parish, their churches, school and Outreach Ministries, along with many other churches in the greater Massena area.

Throughout his life, Frenchie took great pride in maintaining his property from the little Coiff-Tique Salon in St. Albans as being the cleanest shop in town, to his dealerships, and his own home property – his detail for excellence is evident.

Above all of his accomplishments, memberships, jobs, titles, and accolades, Frenchie felt his greatest job was to help others.

Frenchie is survived by the love of his life for over 58 years, Thelma; his children and their spouses, Scott and Nicole Coupal of Peru, New York and Beth and Jeremy Dixon of Oakland, Michigan; his grandchildren, Olivia Woods, Rayelle Coupal, and Emma Dixon; his sister, Simone Brousseau of Enosburg Falls, Vermont; his nieces and nephews, AnnMarie Eaton, Allen Coupal, Patricia Wood, and Gerald Brosseau; and his extended family at the dealerships.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Emile and Robert “Bobby” Coupal.

Friends may call on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 3-7:00 PM at the Frenchie’s Chevrolet, 255 East Orvis Street, Massena.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday December 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 105 Cornell Ave, Massena.

Burial will be held privately.

A reception will follow the services at St. Mary’s Church Social Hall (adjacent to the church).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider memorial contributions to be made in his memory to the Massena Neighborhood Center, 61 Beach Street, Massena, NY 13662.

Funeral arrangements are under the professional care and guidance of the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where friends may share memories, photos, and offer condolences at www.donaldsonfh.com.