Murray Kupsaw
Murray Kupsaw, formerly of Sanibel, died peacefully on March 30, 2011 at the Shell Point Pavilion after a long illness. Near the end, he was surrounded by his entire family.
Murray was born on Flag Day June 14, 1923 in Paterson, N.J. to Russian-Jewish émigré parents Louis Kupsaw and Sarah (Amel) Kupsaw. The original Russian name Kupstov was converted by Ellis Island to the present form. Murray graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson at the end of the Depression and the beginning of World War II.
He served in the Army as a staff sergeant in the China-Burma Theater. Before shipping out at age 20, Murray and his high school girlfriend, Bernice Rabinowitz, were married in Macomb, Ill. They had met at a community pool during junior year summer vacation. He returned to the U.S. when the war ended, finished a BA at NYU on the G.I. Bill and started a family.
In 1956, Murray and Bernice moved to Newington, Ct. where they raised their three children. Murray rose to Personnel Director at G. Fox and Co. in Hartford and in 1969 became Corporate Manager for Organizational Development at The Rogers Corporation. After retirement he continued to consult for the Rogers Corporation well into his seventies.
He served for many years on the Board of Directors of Newington’s Lucy Robbins Welles Public Library. He also served as director of the Hartford Heart Fund’s annual fundraising campaigns. Murray taught evening psychology, business and retailing courses at Central Connecticut State College.
Murray and Bernice moved to Sanibel in 1988. Murray was very active in BIG Arts, both volunteering and participating in the many activities. Sanibel also enabled him to indulge his lifelong passions for sailing and kayaking. In 2003, Murray and Bernice moved to Shell Point, where he continued to enjoy boating and the classes and discussion groups.
Murray is survived by his wife of 67 years Bernice. He is also survived by his three children and eight grandchildren: Sanibel — son Rusty Kupsaw, wife Lena, children Griffin, Graham, Kate, Claire and Sam; Rochester, N.Y. — daughter Edith Kupsaw Lawrence, husband Tim, and sons Nate and Eli; Oakland, Ca. — daughter Wendy Kupsaw Rothenberg, husband Shelley, and daughter Sarah.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospiceare appreciated. A remembrance will be held at a future date.