Thomas Edward Chupka, age 70, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2024, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Sault Ste. Marie. He was the eldest child born to Edward and Olga (Kushner) Chupka on September 22, 1953, in Highland Park, Michigan.
Thomas grew up in East Detroit and graduated from East Detroit High School with the Class of 1971. He met his high school sweetheart, Mary K. Coesens, through his sister, and they married on October 6, 1979. After graduation, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Wayne State University. Thomas then furthered his education at the University of Detroit Dental School and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1978. Upon college graduation, Thomas started his own dental practice and operated it for twenty years before selling his business to make more time for family. Thomas welcomed his only child, Nadia Chupka, in 1994 and found his favorite passion yet—being a dad. The family moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 2003, when Thomas was hired with the Department of Corrections as the Dentist at the Kinross Correctional Facility where he worked for many years. In Thomas’s retirement he enjoyed operating a mobile dentistry business for the elderly at many nursing homes throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Thomas loved helping people from all walks of life, both professionally and personally. He would be the first to give up something of his for someone else in need.
Thomas was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Michigan Dental Association.
Thomas had a love for music, especially smooth jazz, classical, and religious choral music—and he liked playing it loud! He also enjoyed taking walks along the St. Mary’s River and loved living near the water.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Mary Chupka; daughter, Nadia (Eric Jorgenson) Chupka of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Carol (Thomas Armstrong) Chupka of Birmingham, Michigan; and brother, Timothy (Janet) Chupka of Portage, Michigan.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 606 E 4th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 AM. A Luncheon for all will follow at Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 4478 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Memorial donations can be made in Thomas’s honor to Hiawatha Behavioral Health, 3865 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
