Edward Kupchick Sr.
- Post by: mcalibrary
- January 12, 2024
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INDUCTEE
Edward Kupchick is one of those athletes who stood out among his peers and has had to wait a long time to finally be recognized as one of the greats. Edward payed both football and track and field at Kulpmont High School in the late 30’s and early 40’s. He was a three year letterman for coach Mike Terry in 1939, 40, and 41, helping the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons following the 1938 State Championship win over Ferndale by a 50-19 score. Heavy graduation losses left folks wondering if the Wildcats were to continue to be competitive. Kupchick and teammates Earl Dallabrida, Stan Maddish, Ed Kaminsky, Walt Jones and Al Barkowski made sure that they were. They won 18 games during the 39-41 period with 15 of them via shutout. They turned a 39-0 defeat at the hands of Mount Carmel in 1940 to a 12-0 victory in 1941 with Edward being an important cog.
During the track season, Ed was one of the area’s outstanding weightmen, constantly competing against Mount Carmel’s Frank Zorica. Kupchick was always on the podium whether it was a dual meet, triangular meet or invitational. Kupchick helped Kulpmont to a second place finish in the 1942 District IV Track meet, beating Zorica in both the shot and discus, establishing a new Kulpmont record with a toss of 142’9”, surpassing the previous best by the great Steve Filipowicz. Slippery, rainy, and wet conditions at the state championship saw Ed fall to place as Zorica would go on to win the state championship with a 135 foot throw.
Following graduation, Edward was a decorated United States Army veteran who served during World War II in the ETO. He was a member of the DAV and VFW Post #5447 Hall-Burke in Claymont, DE. He resided in Chester before moving to Wilmington, DE in 1965. He finally retired after 30 years of service with the Sun Oil Company.
He was the husband of the late Alice (Evans) Kupchick who died in 1966 and Elizabeth (Risso) Kupchick who dies in 2007. Edward died on November 6, 2009 at the age of 86. He is survived by three sons: Edward Jr, Jame, and Thomas and 2 daughters Marianne Kupchick and Diane Mancini, as well as six grandchildren.