RACINE - Phones were ringing nonstop on Tuesday at the homes of Paul Kopecky's family members as friends and fans of the local musician called with condolences upon learning of his death.

Kopecky, 37, died unexpectedly Monday night due to complications of juvenile diabetes, according to his brother Joe Kopecky.

Probably best known as the drummer for the instrumental progressive rock band called Kopecky, which also featured his brothers Joe and Bill, Paul was a very kind and generous person, say those who knew him best.

"He would help anybody with anything," said Joe. "And he wasn't just a good drummer. He was also a talented carpenter and an amazing mechanic. Everybody went to him to get their car fixed."

Employed at JC's Mufflers & Brakes on Douglas Avenue for eight years, Paul could repair and build just about anything, his brother said.

"Everything he did, he did well," Joe said. "If he had wanted to build a spaceship, he probably could have built one."

A life-long resident of Racine, Paul traveled with his brothers through the years as their trio performed at progressive rock festivals worldwide, as well as at venues here in the states. As a band, they produced five CDs of original music and were known around the globe for their innovation and musicianship.

On Tuesday, Joe said he'd received calls from as far away as Belgium in response to Paul's death. "He was an outstanding human being and he was instrumental to our success as Kopecky," he said of his brother.

"Paul was loved by so many people," said Paul's fiancee Kristine Vogelman. "And we all miss him so deeply."

Vogelman, who shared her life with Paul for nine years, described him as very caring family man who was not only close to his brothers, but her children and grandchildren as well. "He was Poppa to them," she said.

When he wasn't working or playing with the band, Paul enjoyed outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and gardening.

"We planned to get married in our garden next June, because that's where we spent a lot of our time," Vogelman said.

In addition to his brothers, Paul is survived by his parents, Shirley and Joseph Kopecky Jr., of Racine. Funeral services will be held on Friday at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road. A wake will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a service at 5 p.m. Complete obituary information is scheduled to run in Thursday's Journal Times.

For more about Kopecky, go to http://www.myspace.com/kopeckymusic.