Our Founders
Mitchell Cope
Mitchell Cope, was Master Home Builder, former State Representative, State Senator, and Mayor of Portland, Mr. Cope was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Born and raised in Portland as a first-generation American, Mr. Cope exemplified the American Dream. What’s more, he made the American Dream of homeownership possible for hundreds of families throughout Maine and beyond.
Mr. Cope had a lifelong record of achievement, innovation, and contribution to the housing industry, people of Maine, and our Nation. His cumulative impact in helping to achieve the “American Dream” of affordable home ownership spans the post-World War II housing boom through to the current revitalization of rural America.
Growing up with Orthodox Jewish parents from Ukraine, Mr. Cope could not foresee the enormous opportunities that would open up to him. A Graduate of Portland High School, Mitchell would go on to serve his country in World War II. Inducted as a Private, he was discharged as a 1st Lt. Army Air Corps (1942-1946).
After leaving the Army he wanted to build a business that would leave a lasting and positive mark on the community. He built his first house in 1947 and quickly formed a reputation with the design and construction of the “Dream House” of 1948. He would transform the housing industry by showing others how to successfully integrate politics and public service as a fundamental and legitimate part of the housing industry.
Mr. Cope always felt he should give to his community through public service. As a member of the Portland Board of Standards and Review, in 1956 he initiated a new committee that implemented enhanced zoning code changes. Mr. Cope was elected to Portland’s City Council where he applied his unique perspective and experience first as Chairman of the Urban Renewal Committee in 1958, and then as Chairman of the City Council and Mayor in 1960. In the 1960’s he was elected State Representative, State Senator, and served on the Portland Planning Board.
While a State Representative, he authored legislation to create the Maine Intergovernmental Relations Commission and became its first Chairman. One immediate result of the legislation was local home rule in Maine, in which the housing industry, particularly in Maine, benefited by the Commission’s identifying a variety of federal funding opportunities for basic infrastructure, which relieved homebuilders from the burden of such facilities, as well as made housing more acceptable when federal funding became available.
He strongly believed in land preservation, donating hundreds of acres of land to various land trusts and local Governments. Capisic Pond Park in the City of Portland is just one of his many legacies.
Realizing that fair and consistent zoning could help builders provide homes for their communities, he challenged the town of Brunswick, which at that time, had vague zoning guidelines that tended to inflate the cost of housing. His persuasiveness resulted in what is known as the Cope Decision, by the State of Maine Supreme Court in 1983, requiring clear and explicit standards for zoning board decisions.
His record as the builder of the largest single-family home development in Maine still stands. For decades he was the primary voice of home building in Maine and the largest single family homebuilder in Maine. He later diversified into multifamily rental apartments. His commitment to assuring quality affordable and workforce housing has taken him from the White House to the halls of Congress, from Maine to the US Virgin Islands. However, out of devotion to his wife and children, he most often chose to say local, telling those he loved, “I’ll build as far away as I can comfortably be home for dinner.” Nothing could pull him away from his cherished family.
Ever faithful to his wife Thelma, he lit up whenever she walked into the room, even to his last days. Theirs was a magical relationship.
A man who loved his work, he continued building and serving as an advisor to development projects well into his 80’s. In 2003 he developed Wellesley Estates, a 45 unit workforce apartment complex in Portland. His goal was to create something tangible, a legacy to outlive him and benefit others for generations, a place for stable communities and families to grow with secure, well-built homes. And that he did.
Mr. Cope participated in a myriad of organizations including as a Trustee of Brunswick Memorial Hospital, Shaarey Tphiloh Synagogue, and as a life director of Temple Beth El. He earned the National Award of the American Legion for Outstanding Public Service in Governmental Affairs, became a National Representative of the National Committee for the Support of Public Schools, and Life Director of Cedars Nursing Care Center. Mitchell Cope was a former national Vice President of the National Association of Homebuilders, is a member of the NAHB Hall of Fame, and was the first inductee into the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine.
Because of his impressive achievements, Governor Angus King declared January 29, 1997, his 80th birthday as Mitchell Cope Day.
Aside from his family and work, his two main pleasures in life were playing poker with the same group of men for over 20 years, and golfing. An avid golfer, Mr. Cope frequently played at Riverside, his favorite golf course, sinking his first “hole-in-one” in the summer of 1986. Mitchell devoted many successful decades applying the political lessons he learned for the benefit of the home building industry, his community, and those lucky enough to have known him. Much loved by many, the story of his life can be read as one long “hole-in-one.”
Thelma J. Cope
Thelma J. Cope (nee West) was born in Milbridge, Maine on April 14, 1925.
Thelma said her greatest accomplishment was being Mrs. Mitchell Cope. She was the behind the scenes inspiration and support for the former Mayor of Portland, State Senator, and distinguished Home builder.
She was a gracious loving mother with a tender heart for all of her grandchildren and lived her life with grace and dignity.
She gave of herself unselfishly, with genuine enjoyment, without a thought of reward. She did this with the same smile and quiet grace that that was so characteristic of her whole life. She was a trusted friend and confidant to many in the community, inflaming the noblest instincts in those around her.
She found inspiration in a variety of nature and people, caring for other and extensively volunteering in the community, just a few things included being the President of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority, President of the Baxter School PTA, Board of Director’s member of The Temple Beth El sisterhood, and the Portland Chapter of the Council of Jewish Women, President of the Women’s Literary Union, a nationally renown Parliamentarian and Teacher of Parliamentary Procedure, President of the Maine Farm and Garden, a 50 year member of Eastern Star, a Portland History Docent, a Member of Governor Reed’s Advisory committee on Education, and Director of Development for the Portland Public Library, despite not having gone to college, she became the President of the non academic Beta Sigma Phi International social and charitable sorority.
She never wanted to be called a Great Grandmother, so she was “Super Nana” to her seven Great Grandchildren.