Obituary for John Chopyk
JOHN CHOPYK, 87, of Easthampton MA, passed away on Wednesday January 11, 2017 at his home, which he designed and built himself. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, who are thankful that he was able to spend the holidays with them.
Born on March 21, 1929 in a small town Ishkiv in Ukraine, he came to the United States from Germany in summer of 1949, to a little place called Philadelphia PA which he called home in his early life. Majority of his life he lived in Palmer for 31 years, before moving to Easthampton in 1983.
John was predeceased in death by his first wife Irene Tarasenko Chopyk, who he was happily married to for 42 years. He is survived by his present wife Halyna Koval, and his two step-sons Roman and Oleh Koval and three grand children of Easthampton. He is also survived by his own two sons, John Eugene Chopyk and Dr. Michael G. Chopyk of New Jersey, as well as four grand children.
Following the establishment of Displaced Persons Camp in the American occupation zone in Germany in 1945, John attended school there and graduated from the Ukrainian Secondary School in Dillingen, Germany in 1947. He also completed two semesters of Law at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany, before coming to the USA in 1949.
John served 3 years in the US Army, including one year with Army Intelligence & Reconnaissance Unit in Korea, with a rank of Sergeant First Class. During that time he was also a certified interpreter for Ukrainian, Polish, German, Russian and English languages.
John holds a BA Degree in Engineering and Management from Western New England College which he obtained in 1959 taking night classes, so he could work and support his family during the day. Following his graduation, John was employed as Chief Engineer by the United Service Equipment Company in Palmer. From 1967 until he retired in 1994, John was employed as Plant Engineer by the National Felt Company in Easthampton. He was a licensed Power Plant Engineer in charge of 5 manufacturing plants located in Easthampton, Northampton and Holyoke Mass.
From 1996 until 2003, John was a Transitional Bilingual Teacher at South Middle School in Westfield, MA. In order to help his students even more, John completed the required educational courses, at Elms College, Fitchburg State & Westfield State College, and became a certified Educator of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For his outstanding 7 years in teaching the youth, City of Westfield proclaimed May 10, 2003 as John Chopyk Day.
John is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow, MA. He is also a member of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Post #31, Boston, MA.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10 a.m. from Ludlow Funeral Home, 432 East St., Ludlow, followed by Devine Liturgy at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 Newbury St., Ludlow, MA. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Palmer, MA.
Calling hours are on Friday, January 13, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Memorial Donations may be made for the health, wellbeing and growth to Sts. Peter and Paul, Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 Newbury St. Ludlow MA, 01056
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Born on March 21, 1929 in a small town Ishkiv in Ukraine, he came to the United States from Germany in summer of 1949, to a little place called Philadelphia PA which he called home in his early life. Majority of his life he lived in Palmer for 31 years, before moving to Easthampton in 1983.
John was predeceased in death by his first wife Irene Tarasenko Chopyk, who he was happily married to for 42 years. He is survived by his present wife Halyna Koval, and his two step-sons Roman and Oleh Koval and three grand children of Easthampton. He is also survived by his own two sons, John Eugene Chopyk and Dr. Michael G. Chopyk of New Jersey, as well as four grand children.
Following the establishment of Displaced Persons Camp in the American occupation zone in Germany in 1945, John attended school there and graduated from the Ukrainian Secondary School in Dillingen, Germany in 1947. He also completed two semesters of Law at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany, before coming to the USA in 1949.
John served 3 years in the US Army, including one year with Army Intelligence & Reconnaissance Unit in Korea, with a rank of Sergeant First Class. During that time he was also a certified interpreter for Ukrainian, Polish, German, Russian and English languages.
John holds a BA Degree in Engineering and Management from Western New England College which he obtained in 1959 taking night classes, so he could work and support his family during the day. Following his graduation, John was employed as Chief Engineer by the United Service Equipment Company in Palmer. From 1967 until he retired in 1994, John was employed as Plant Engineer by the National Felt Company in Easthampton. He was a licensed Power Plant Engineer in charge of 5 manufacturing plants located in Easthampton, Northampton and Holyoke Mass.
From 1996 until 2003, John was a Transitional Bilingual Teacher at South Middle School in Westfield, MA. In order to help his students even more, John completed the required educational courses, at Elms College, Fitchburg State & Westfield State College, and became a certified Educator of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For his outstanding 7 years in teaching the youth, City of Westfield proclaimed May 10, 2003 as John Chopyk Day.
John is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow, MA. He is also a member of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Post #31, Boston, MA.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10 a.m. from Ludlow Funeral Home, 432 East St., Ludlow, followed by Devine Liturgy at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 Newbury St., Ludlow, MA. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Palmer, MA.
Calling hours are on Friday, January 13, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Memorial Donations may be made for the health, wellbeing and growth to Sts. Peter and Paul, Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 Newbury St. Ludlow MA, 01056
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
13
Jan
5:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Service
Friday
13
Jan
7:30 PM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Panakhyda Service
Service
Saturday
14
Jan
9:15 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Saturday
14
Jan
10:00 AM
Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church
Newbury Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
At the Convenience of the Family
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Memorial Contribution
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