Joseph Kolpacke Obituary

Joseph Kolpacke attended Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Joseph Kolpacke.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jun 16, 2022
About	Joseph L Kolpacke passed away as he lived, peacefully and surrounded by his family on June 16, 2022. Joe was born July 3, 1932 to Mary and Dominick Kolpacki in Detroit Michigan. Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor; children Joan (Guy) Bellemare), Susan, and Joseph; six grandchildren, Guy Jr., Marc, Dominick, Abigail, Kelly, and Joseph; and brother Raymond. Joe was preceded in death by his sister Irene and brothers Dominick, Alvin and George. Joe’s life was also filled with many cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends. Joe decided he would be a teacher while he attended Western High School in Detroit. He went to Wayne State University, graduated with a master's degree in English, and was on the WSU swim team for 4 years. Joe started his teaching career at Jefferson Junior High School in Detroit. He was drafted into the Army and spent two years teaching at the Army specialist School Command at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. He was also on the Army swimming team. After returning to Detroit, he taught English at the Sherrard Junior High School for two years and put on school plays. Next, he went to Fordson High School in Dearborn where he taught English and filmmaking. Then for the next 25 years he taught English at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, and took pride in his development of the Writing Lab which is still used by students today. He also produced two films for the college. During three summer semesters, he worked at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with three other writers to develop a program for students who have difficulty with the English language, and was published by the University. Joe retired from teaching in the classroom after spending three years as an Adjunct professor at Schoolcraft College. Joe, along with his beloved wife Eleanor, raised his family and spent the majority of his life in Livonia Michigan. He was an accomplished woodworker and craftsman. His joys included reading, writing, doughnuts, and sharing in a good joke. He was truly a friend to all. A Visitation will be held at R.G. G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd, Livonia on July 8 from 12 to 8pm. A Memorial Service will be held at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 16360 Hubbard Road, Livonia July 9, at 11am. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to attend. Joe had requested that in leu of flowers, donations could be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Livonia, or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Please share a memory of Joe on his Tribute Wall.