ILION - Mack J.Copper, age 78, of London Towers, Ilion, formerly of 2 Otsego St., Ilion, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford. He was a long-time Ilion resident who was well known by many. He was born on April 30, 1936, in Brooklyn. Mack was married to Dakota White on July 29, 1970, in Puerto Rico. At one time, he was employed as a mechanic at Bernier's Garage, Herkimer. Mack enjoyed fishing, especially for walleyes, and especially enjoyed spending time with his "adopted" family. He was a man who always had a smile on his face as he walked around town with his little companion Ted E. Bear Allen. Mack is survived by his "adopted family", daughter, Michele Allen, of Herkimer, his son-in-law, Wade Allen, of Stratford, and their three children, Matthew Allen and his companion, Gabrielle Smith, of Stratford, Cami Allen and Mack Allen (his namesake), of Herkimer; another daughter, Darlene Skinner and her companion, Dean Kent, Sr., and their two children, McKailey and Dean Kent, Jr.; also a son, John Skinner, Sr., and his companion, Angela Thompson, along with his five children, Chanel, Kenneth, Elizabeth, John, Jr., and Shelby; his first step great-grandson, Carter Smith; and his best friend, Ted E., who he always shared his steaks with. Mack was predeceased by the love of his life, Dakota, in 1999, and their best friends, Mary Flynn, in 2000, and Betty who lived with him and Dakota for many years before her passing. Visitation with a celebration of Mack's life will be held privately at the family's convenience at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's newly reopened home at 102 West St., Ilion. Spring interment will be at North Columbia Cemetery. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Mack, or add to his online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com Mack's arrangements are entrusted to Funeral Director, Don Applegate.