Jan Cuprak

Jan Cuprak, 63, of Hampton, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 18, 2011 at Hartford Hospital. Born in New London, CT on April 1, 1948 son of the late Bohdan and Jeannette (White) Cuprak, he attended parochial school in Norwich and graduated from St. Bernard's High School in New London. In 1971, he graduated from Mayville State University, Mayville, N.D. He taught English at Parish Hill High School from 1971-1974 while working with his dad in the family business, New System Window Cleaning. He worked for the state of Connecticut as a CT state DOT inspector and transferred to the Department of Corrections. He retired from the Brooklyn Correctional Institute as a Lieutenant on April 1, 2011. Jan had a variety of part-time jobs working for K&L Feed Corp., Clinipad, Wernicki, USPS, and Bernie's Oil. He honorably served his country in the National Guard for 27 years and retired as a MSG (E 8). Jan was a member of the Yantic, CT Fire Company from 1971-1982 and served as a Fire Captain. Upon his retirement, he continued as an honorary member from 1983 to the present. On March 10, 2007, Jan married the love of his life, Renee (Barrett). Together they began a new life, building a home in Hampton, working side by side, whether it was projects inside or transforming the land into a variety of vegetable gardens. They enjoyed their hours together turning fruits and vegetables into jams, jellies and relishes that were welcome at the local Farmer's Market. Jan was one of those individuals who was always willing to lend a helping hand especially to his family and friends. Jan's proudest moments of his life were watching his two daughters grow into beautiful young women. He walked his daughter Kara down the aisle and because of his prior military service, he had the honor of presenting his daughter Tanya her Commissioning Papers alongside President Obama as she graduated from the Coast Guard Academy. Jan is survived by his wife Renee (Barrett) and two daughters, Kara and her husband Angus Smart and Ens. Tanya, USCG. He is also survived by a step-granddaughter, Elizabeth Smart, two brothers, Peter Cuprak and his wife Bonnie of Norwich and Bo Cuprak and his wife Peggy of Coventry; two stepdaughters Althea McCune of Hampton and Emily Schmidt and her husband Ian and grandchildren and brother-in-law Randy Barrett . Two memorial services will be held, the first on Saturday, July 30, 11:00am at Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave. Norwich, CT with calling hours from10-11 prior and the second on Sunday July 31, at 2:00pm at Hampton Congregational Church 263 Main St. Hampton, Ct. A reception will follow each service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Calvary Church, Uncasville, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Willimantic, Yantic Fire Dept., Yantic or Fletcher Memorial Library, Hampton. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com