Eugene Kuropas

It is with great heartbreak that we announce the news of Eugene Kuropas’ sudden passing  on October 13, in his sleep, at his home. He was 95. 

He was the son of the late Wasyl and Anna (Kochenash) Kuropas. 

He was the loving husband of the late Hedwig (Schmidt) , and late son, Stephen;  he is also predeceased as by all of his 5 siblings (Ivanka (Kowal) Walter, Bohdan, Roman and Elizabeth(Dimaio))

He is survived by his Daughter, Christina Zawycky, son-in-law Aristides (Arch) and grandson, Peter, as well as many nieces and nephews and sister-in-laws (Lida and Tamara) and brother-in-law, William, and an Aunt in Dresden, Germany (Sr. Maria Ingeborg Kotschenasch).

Eugene KUROPAS was born in Premyshl, Ukraine, on April 5, 1929.

The family was forced to leave Premyshl because of WWII and migrated to Saxony, Germany in 1942. A few years later they migrated to Belgium. He worked in a coal mine there to help support his parents and siblings; years later they all would thank him for his support. 

In 1954 the family was able to migrate to the US , thanks to sponsorship of Myron Kuropas of  Chicago. The plane  landed in NY and then they proceeded  by rail to Philadelphia.

A few years later - in 1960 - he would meet the love of his life, Hedwig, at a friends gathering in Wildwood, NJ. They married and settled in Philadelphia. They would have a son, Stephen,  in 1961, who was born with Cerebral Palsy.  Eugene and Hedwig would lovingly care for all his needs and took him as many places as they could. They  would take him to church every Sunday; in the summer the would enjoy family day trips with the Schmidt side of the family- to Virginia and Olympia lakes. There they enjoyed sunny, warm days swimming and picnicking with the family. Also, day trips with the grandparents to Wildwood, NJ  would be an annual tradition. He loved putting together train sets for his son, Stephen, and visit the train tracks near where they lived to wait for life size trains to pass by. They also ensured Stephen received an education - despite his disabilities and Stephen excelled to receiving an Associates degree. Christina joined the family in 1964. Eugene was always there for her as well - taking her to Ukrainian school every Saturday, attending all her performances there and supporting her all thru college.  He could always be counted on ! Eugene was a dedicated husband, father, uncle, brother and hard worker ! As an  ice cream engineer for Dolly Madison and then Breyers, he kept the family well stocked with ice cream !  The students of the Ukrainian school that Christina attended benefited as well. 

Despite the difficulties he lived thru, he was always optimistic and looked on the positive side of life !  He was thrilled when his first and only grandson, Peter,  was born. He spent time with him, played with him and was proud of all his accomplishments. They share a love for sports.

In Eugene’s younger years,  he was athletic and was an avid Volleyball and soccer player. He continued  to love to watch sports the rest of his life - which also expanded to hockey, Olympic sports and racing. 

He was also a coin and stamp collector. He loved spending time outside and caring for his roses. 

He was a member of CYM and was always active in supporting his native country of Ukraine. He was very patriotic. He also participated in the cultural activities of the Ukrainian community in the Philadelphia area.  

He loved to sing and dance and would be the life of any party he attended. Even to his death, he would continue to sing everyday and brought smiles to all of us .  He enjoyed hosting family at his home during the holidays and delight them with his singing “Mnohya Lita”  (“Many Happy years”) among other songs!

For many years, he was a dedicated member of the all male Ukrainian choir, Prometheus, and participated in many concerts they held thru-out the area. He enjoyed the long term friendships he made and they appreciated his presence and camaraderie as well - as they celebrated birthdays and special events together. 

He was a devout Ukrainian Catholic and would take the family to church every Sunday; He prayed every day and he taught his children to do the same. He was also a member of the church choir. 

At 95, God blessed him with a death that was quick, shameless and peaceful, as he deserved. That gives the family he leaves behind with some consolation and peace. He will be missed very dearly - but he will  remain… Forever in all our hearts ! Вічная памʼять ! Rest in peace for eternity …

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday at 9 AM at Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Requiem Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 AM.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers to the church, donations in his memory to one of the following organizations would be appreciated :

Alzheimer’s Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2

Ukrainian freedom fund - https://ukrfreedomfund.org

Prometheus Ukrainian male choir - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CMBKWC77NZENG

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church - https://www.ukrainianbvm.org

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