JOHN KOPY

John Kopy, 87, passed away in his sleep Nov. 22 at the home of his daughter, where he has been living for the past three years.

John was born June 13, 1922 in Libowec, Poland to Paul and Eve Kopij. When he was 18, he was taken to Germany as forced labor when Hitler invaded Poland. He spent World War II in Germany. Though he did not talk much of his experiences during that time, he did tell of the time when he was caring for a friend, Ignatz, who had recently run away from a work farm and was quite ill. John was working in a city. He got up to go to work and turned to say good-bye to Ignatz, but he was asleep. That day, the Allies bombed that area and John spent the next three days digging his friend’s body out of the rubble.

John came to the United States after the war and joined the Army Air Corps a few months later. He was sent back over to Germany during the Berlin Air Lift. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1953. He had become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1951 in New Jersey.

John married Dorothy Florick on Sept. 25, 1953. They lived on Long Island, N.Y., where John did sheet metal work for the airline industry. In 1967, along with four children, they drove from New York to Anchorage in a 1961 convertible Cadillac. There he built a round house in South Anchorage.

John later moved to Seattle, where he lived until, due to poor health, he came to Alaska to live with his daughter. John lived through history that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can only read about now. His greatest joy was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it always put a smile on his face to see little ones come and visit.

John is survived by his sister, Anna Petruk of Pond Eddy, N.Y.; sisters, Nancy, Dekla and Pearl of the Ukraine; children, Stephen Kopy of Anchorage, Susan Krueger (and husband, Terrance) of Wasilla, Hella David of Anchorage. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their families, Chris Kopy, Daniel Kopy, Joseph Kopy, Rachell Kopy, Tami Ferris, Carolyn Null, William Norris, Emily Turnage, Jennifer Hammond, Dorothy Norris, Gavin Krueger, Stuart Krueger, Gordon Krueger and 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; son, Dan; siblings, Michael, Steven, Mary and Helen and his parents.

A memorial service will follow at a later date at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palmer Senior Center due to the great care it gave John during his last years.