2 months ago
18
Kenneth Pohlman, a resident of Long Island in US, was laid to rest at St Elizabeth's Church in Melville on Tuesday after being
killed
while protecting his
girlfriend
from her ex-husband. The
funeral
was attended by hundreds of mourners who came to honour the memory of the 53-year-old father of three.
Pohlman lost his life on August 28 while defending his girlfriend,
Kelly
Coppola, from her ex-husband, Daniel Coppola, who killed both of them at the couple's home in St James, New York Post reported.
During the funeral, Pohlman was celebrated for his dedication as a father, his passion for sports, and a
hero
who
died
protecting his loved one.
Couple shot in undress state
According to authorities, Daniel Coppola forcibly entered the couple’s St. James home and fatally shot them while they were in a state of undress. Police arrested him at his residence in St. James and required a mental health evaluation after he expressed thoughts of suicide. He has been held without bail. Coppola later confessed to the killings.
Family members noted that Daniel Coppola had displayed abusive and erratic behavior toward his ex-wife. Coppola, who had a history of abuse and blamed Kelly for his financial troubles in letters, reportedly lured his daughter out of the house before committing the crime. His actions have left both families devastated.
Pohlman, a gym enthusiast
Pohlman’s brother, Tom, who lives in New Jersey, recalled the playful banter about his brother’s gym routine, noting his dedication despite their long periods of separation. Tom said he discovered that Pohlman had been going to the gym seven days a week, contrary to what he had initially believed.
Pohlman’s mother recites poem
Pohlman’s mother, Dorothy, recited a heartfelt poem reflecting on the profound loss of her son. She described his love for his children and the deep pride he took in them. Dorothy mourned the void left by his death, expressing her sorrow at losing her "first baby boy" to such a monstrous act.
“I have so many memories of you; I don’t know where to start. But as many as there are, they will never fill the hole in my heart,” Dorothy read from the poem. “You were so proud of all your children. When you spoke of them, you would beam. Now, by the hand of a monster, you were taken. All I want to do is scream.”
'Soulmates'
Pohlman was previously married to his childhood love, Kim, with whom he had two children before her death from cancer in 2006. He had relationships with other women over the years and fathered another daughter in 2009, but according to his father, Kenneth Sr., none of those relationships felt right until he met Kelly. Kenneth Sr. described Pohlman and Kelly as ‘soulmates’ and noted that they were deeply in love, contrary to the common perception of them as merely boyfriend and girlfriend.
John Patton, Kelly’s father, also mentioned that his daughter had found joy in her relationship with Pohlman.
