Dr. Bohdan “Ben” Kupczak, 85, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2022 after living with Parkinson’s Disease for a decade. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ilse, and his daughter Tania, along with extended family in the Ukrainian community, many lifetime friends, former colleagues and patients.
Born in 1937 in Malenky Lubin in Western Ukraine to Dmytro and Kataryna Kupczak, he and his parents escaped Russian occupation and via camps in Germany, immigrated to Cleveland in 1949. The Kupczak family lived in Tremont until they built a house in Parma. Ben graduated from Parma Senior High School, attended Western Reserve University, and chose the adventure of going to medical school at the Universität Innsbruck in Austria. He met Ilse while a student there and they were married in 1965. Returning to the US with a medical degree and a bride, Ben was drafted into the US Army and served honorably at Sandia Base in Albuquerque NM. Upon returning to the Cleveland area, Ben and his wife made their home in Rocky River, where he worked at the nearby Fairview Hospital until his retirement.
A lifelong athlete, Ben excelled at soccer, tennis, downhill skiing and golf. He enjoyed watching all sports, but had a particular dedication to the World Cup, often committing to watching every single game no matter the time of day. He will be remembered as a hard-working and dedicated physician, loving husband and father, and generous member of the Ukrainian community and St Josaphat and Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Churches.
Family and friends received at HOLOWCHAK FUNERAL HOME; 5548 State Rd. Parma OH 44134 on Tuesday July 12, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM with Parastas at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services Wednesday July 13, 2022 at St Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral at 11:00 AM. “PLEASE MEET AT THE CATHEDRAL”
In lieu of flowers, the Kupczak Family asks that you make a donation to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization currently serving over a million meals a day in areas of Ukraine directly impacted by the war. Please visit wck.org to make a gift.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Bohdan Kupczak, please visit our flower store.
Born in 1937 in Malenky Lubin in Western Ukraine to Dmytro and Kataryna Kupczak, he and his parents escaped Russian occupation and via camps in Germany, immigrated to Cleveland in 1949. The Kupczak family lived in Tremont until they built a house in Parma. Ben graduated from Parma Senior High School, attended Western Reserve University, and chose the adventure of going to medical school at the Universität Innsbruck in Austria. He met Ilse while a student there and they were married in 1965. Returning to the US with a medical degree and a bride, Ben was drafted into the US Army and served honorably at Sandia Base in Albuquerque NM. Upon returning to the Cleveland area, Ben and his wife made their home in Rocky River, where he worked at the nearby Fairview Hospital until his retirement.
A lifelong athlete, Ben excelled at soccer, tennis, downhill skiing and golf. He enjoyed watching all sports, but had a particular dedication to the World Cup, often committing to watching every single game no matter the time of day. He will be remembered as a hard-working and dedicated physician, loving husband and father, and generous member of the Ukrainian community and St Josaphat and Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Churches.
Family and friends received at HOLOWCHAK FUNERAL HOME; 5548 State Rd. Parma OH 44134 on Tuesday July 12, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM with Parastas at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services Wednesday July 13, 2022 at St Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral at 11:00 AM. “PLEASE MEET AT THE CATHEDRAL”
In lieu of flowers, the Kupczak Family asks that you make a donation to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization currently serving over a million meals a day in areas of Ukraine directly impacted by the war. Please visit wck.org to make a gift.
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