Joseph Kapurch - Obituary

oseph Robert “Joe” Kapurch, 95, a 28-year resident of Annapolis and previously of Worcester, MA, died peacefully in his sleep on June 28, 2014 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Born on December 28, 1918 in Worcester to the late Joseph and Mary Kapurch, Joe graduated from the former Commerce High School and attended Worcester State College. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was assigned initially to be a firefighter instructor in San Diego. Later, Joe was stationed in the Pacific Theater and was in the Tokyo Bay area when the atomic bombs were deployed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the war, Joe pursued a career with the Worcester Fire Department, retiring with the rank of Captain after 39 years of service. Joe was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis, American Legion Post 7 in Crownsville, Worcester Fireman’s Relief Association and the Massachusetts State Employees’ Association, Both Rita and Joe were sponsors for midshipmen at the Naval Academy, especially the international Lithuanian midshipmen. He enjoyed playing golf and was especially proud of his hole-in-one achievement at the Heritage Harbour Golf Course. He also enjoyed playing Lithuanian love songs on the organ, woodworking, attending his grandchildren’s activities and spending time with his family. Joe was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rita Kapurch; two sons, Captain Thomas J. (Julie) Kapurch, USN, Retired of Highland Village, TX and Stephen J. (Kim) Kapurch of Manassas, VA; one daughter, Reverend Linda M. Kapurch of Kennett Square, PA; one sister, Adelle Parulis of South Dennis, MA; one grandson, Dr. Joseph R. Kapurch II of Rochester, MN; four granddaughters, Dr. Katie (Shane Merkord) Kapurch of Autsin, TX, Christine M. Kapurch and her fiancé Nicholas Lemaster of Atlanta, GA, and Stephanie A. and Jennifer M. Kapurch of Manassas, VA; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to Joe’s Life Celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 8a.m. on Thursday, July 3 at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis. Burial will be held at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Midshipmen Club, U.S. Naval Academy, 121 Blake Road, Annapolis, MD 21402.