Obituary: John Koptiuch, Jr., 91, of Southbury

Information via Carpino Funeral Home

Southbury - John Koptiuch, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 7th at his home in Heritage Village, Southbury, Connecticut. John was born March 20, 1925 to John, Sr. and Mary Kushlak Koptiuch – both were first generation immigrants from the Ukraine.

He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Mafalda “Miki” Koptiuch, his twin brother Michael Koptuick, and his sisters Joan Korton, Olga Church, and Catherine Langer.

He is survived by his six children: Kristin Koptiuch, Leslie Carone (spouse Donald Carone), John Koptiuch III (spouse Frances Koptiuch), Kent Koptiuch (spouse Patricia Koptiuch), Merrill Gisondo (spouse Paul Gisondo), and Kimberly Kerrigan (spouse Michael Kerrigan).

John was blessed with eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews that he took great joy in knowing. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1925, John earned the honor to be counted among the members of “The Greatest Generation”.

He enlisted in the Navy during World War II. As a Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class on Landing Ship Tank #631, John was engaged in several major landings in the Pacific Theatre. He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal (American Campaign), the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with 3 Bronze Stars), the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia), the Philippines Liberation Medal (with 1 Bronze Star), and the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.

John was honorably discharged in 1946. After the war, John utilized his well-earned benefits under the GI Bill to attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. John and Miki were married in June that same year and he soon began a 25 year career in the travel industry as an agent for the Automobile Club of America in Manhattan.

Miki also worked in various travel agencies and for the airlines over the years and the two of them took every opportunity afforded them to travel throughout the world. For forty-seven years they made their home in Brewster, New York, where they raised their family on the shores of Peach Lake. In the early 1970s, John purchased a Lawn King franchise and built his small, part-time business up to the point where he could retire from the Auto Club.

In 1975 he embarked full-time in his new Green Industry career serving Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York with chemical lawn care expertise.

In 2009, John and Miki retired again and moved to Heritage Village to enjoy their golden years. John remained active providing handyman services to his neighbors in the community, restoring and repairing vintage furniture, and tending his plot in the River Gardens right up until his last few months. He took great pleasure in his American Legion activities, found solace as a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southbury, and was a member of its Knights of Columbus.

He could never resist the opportunity to help his neighbors. A Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St South, Southbury, CT. Calling hour: Friday one hour before Mass in Chapel of Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be private. Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be sent to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/.