Obituary of Edward Charles Karpoich

Edward Charles Karpoich was born on November 29, 1961 in Brooklyn, NY; second son to Edward and Arlene (Haas) Karpoich.  He was a lifelong sports fan - especially the Mets & Jets.  Even as a child he enjoyed construction - starting at 9 years old carrying bricks for his neighbor.  He spent his entire life building things: million dollar homes on Long Island, millions of dollars renovations for hotels, decks, birdhouses, a totem pole, rockets, models, balsa airplanes, and most importantly - lasting relationships.   

Eddie first caught my eye when I was front office manager of a hotel where Eddie lived and worked as the Director of Operations.  He would leave the hotel incognito in jeans, hat and sunglasses on Sunday mornings with a fishing rod and tackle box in hand.  Soon we were fishing together and 6 months later we were married; even though I had told him I was never getting married again on our first date.   Eddie told me years later that he knew he would marry me when he found out I liked fishing & fireworks.  We did a lot of both during our 21 years together.  Our life was one continuous adventure.   

Anyone who was close to Eddie knows that he was a Grizzly Bear on the outside, but a Puppy Dog on the inside.  He loved with all his heart and was fiercely loyal and protective of those he cared about.  I always felt safe, valued, respected and adored by Eddie.  He called me his princess and he was my hero,  rescuing me from myself.  He was patient and supportive while I learned how to love again after a toxic relationship left me cold and withdrawn. He told me on our third date that he wanted someone  who he could always hold hands with, even if one of us was mad.  So we held hands a lot, until his last breath.  

Eddie was always up for anything.  We created our own holiday (March 4th weekend) and celebrated it with a 6ft pool inside our living room, a tanning lamp, pineapple drinks, loud music, and planting seeds in our indoor greenhouse.  We had our living room furniture replaced with 2 recliners and a pool table.  He made me laugh every day, often without meaning to.  I will forever cherish our time together.  Someday I hope to have a "tuner" sandwich again with Eddie as we discuss new "idears" about how to blow stuff up, all while listening to Guns & Roses on repeat.   

Eddie's spirit will always be with us in the lives of all who loved him.  His remains will be set free in the Gulf of Mexico off  the coast of Anna Maria, his favorite place, where we made memories to last a lifetime.   

-Michelle Karpoich 

        When I think back on my time spent with Eddie a couple key lessons stand out above all else.  First: never be afraid of anything and second: keep what's actually important as the driving force for your decisions. 

     Throughout his life's journey, Eddie lived across the entire U.S. each time moving because life had taken a turn and he responded.  But he wasn't fearful over these moves; he took them in stride, set up shop how he wanted and carved out a piece of the town as his own wherever he laid his head. 

     This was never more apparent than during my teens and early twenties when each time planning to visit would be a new city and a new adventure.  Be it Minneapolis, El Paso, Newark, Cincinnati or Orlando as soon as I touched down the laughs would start and not finish until I was back on the plane. 

     After the decade of travel when he finally wanted to live back at home in Tampa his next move was one that would have terrified anyone else, "Let's open a hobby shop".  Economy at rock bottom, stores shutting down, Eddie didn't care, he pushed forward with his dreams with those he loved. 

     Which brings me to the second thing that he taught me.  He used to say all the time that my mom was his best friend, and cite how other guys on construction jobs couldn't wait to get out of the house, but Eddie couldn't wait to get home.  He let that be the driving force behind all his decisions. With that in mind Eddie opened the shop with my mom because it's what he loved doing and with who he loved. Throughout the shop's journey everyone got to share in his joy. Be it working alongside his brother, having Mama Mavis lend a hand, or letting his Granddaughter raid the store's shelves picking whatever she wanted. 

     And those two things summarize all of the memories I have with him. They are spread across various states, different cladding on the walls, but each filled with laughter with those that matter; Lighting off rockets, fishing, playing pool, blowing up toilets, or simply sharing silence and sipping a beer. 

     To me he was a great teacher, friend, and father, and above all he was loved. 

-- Adam Fair 

Edward (Eddie) Karpoich sadly passed away on June 9, 2023 at the age of 61, surrounded by loved ones who continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.  His battle with serious medical issues was a challenge he face head-on and stayed strong until the end.   

Eddie loved spending time in the garden.  He had a natural knack for growing vegetables and such.  To say he had a green thumb would be an understatement.  When the holidays came around each year, he poured all of himself into them.  Christmas was always full of joy and laughter.  Let ye not forget the Fourth of July and how he loved to light up the sky!  It was the simple pleasures that Eddie enjoyed the most.  With the love of his life Michelle by his side, together they built a thriving business, created a loving home and shared cherished memories. 

Eddie is survived by his beautiful wife Michelle, his children Terese, Eddie and Adam, his mother Arlene, sisters Lisa and June, and brothers Peter and Eric.  Also his grandchild Rowan with a grandson on the way. 

-Terese Karpoich 

 

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