Kenneth M. Koprowski Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Kenneth M. Koprowski, age 69, of Stamford, Connecticut, died at Stamford Hospital (Conn.) on Friday, September 7, following a long and courageous bout with cancer. Ken, a distinguished corporate public relations executive, communications consultant, writer, poet and educator, was best defined as a giving teacher, guiding mentor, selfless volunteer, devoted husband and wonderfully loving father. He was long a leader in the public relations professional community in the Stamford-Westchester (New York) area and led a team of PR volunteers who helped Stamford set national and world records for training citizens to perform CPR. Born May 28, 1949, in Pulaski, Wisconsin to Mitchell and Lorraine Koprowski, Ken grew up in Chicago and central and northern Wisconsin. He married his beloved wife, Pamela Cardinale in Stamford, Conn. Ken earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a master’s in Creative Writing from Syracuse University. For the past 40 years, he lived and worked in New York, southwestern Connecticut and southern Vermont, building an enviable career in public relations. Ken was a communications leader at GE Energy Financial Services from its inception in early 2004 through 2009, and prior to that headed communications for GE Structured Finance for six years, managing all aspects of internal and external communications. He also served as a GE crisis manager for three years. Before GE, he was a communication consultant and managing director with River Communications, a financial public relations firm, providing strategic advisory services to major corporate clients including American Express and Wells Fargo. Prior to that, Ken led U.S. marketing communications for Price Waterhouse, U.S., was a lead communicator for Primerica Corporation/American Can Company (now Citigroup), and held communications management positions with Texaco, PepsiCo, International Paper, and United Parcel Service. Most recently, Ken taught advanced public relations writing and a range of public relations subjects in the master’s programs at New York University, Iona College and Manhattanville College. In addition, he taught crisis communication and reputation management – courses he designed – in the MBA program and business communications at UConn Stamford. His students valued his “real world” experience which he used to illustrate best practices. Ken volunteered with a number of community organizations and held leadership roles with a number of professional associations in Southwestern Connecticut. He served as chair of DomusKids for many years, working to ensure its long-term sustainability. He also was Treasurer, President and Past President of the Westchester-Fairfield Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and led the chapter’s effort that won first place in the 2012 National PR Serving America Award competition. Called Hands for Life Stamford 2012 (HFL), the campaign set a new U.S. record for training in hands-only CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and a new world record for training in the use of AEDs (automated electronic defibrillators). Today, nearly one in every 20 adults in the Stamford area is able to perform bystander CPR, which research shows can double the survival rate for cardiac arrest victims. The PRSA awards are considered the “Academy Awards” of the public relations profession. Ken also served as informal leader of a group called Thursday III, a self-created group of veteran public relations executives who gathered monthly in Stamford to exchange ideas, share stories and enjoy camaraderie. His 2016 collection of poetry, “Fathers—Collected Poems 1973-2015” from Ravenswood Publishing explores the mysteries, triumphs, magic, humor, pain and loss that are part of being a son and father. Ken is survived by his wife, Pamela; his daughter, Lauren and her husband, Christian; his three sons, Jacob, Joseph and Anthony; and nine grandchildren. Also surviving are his mother, Lorraine, two brothers, a sister and their spouses. His father, Mitchell Koprowski predeceased him. A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, September 22nd at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ken’s memory to: Thumbelina Fund c/o Fairfield County Community Foundation, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854. The Koprowski family would like to thank the staff of the Stamford Hospital for their kindness, help and support, and extend its deepest appreciation to all their friends for their outpouring of love and support. The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford, CT. If you would like to leave a condolence message for the family you may visit the guestbook on bosakfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome. Ken Koprowski, Strategic Communications Professional and Educator Passes Away Kenneth M. Koprowski, age 69, of Stamford, Connecticut, died at Stamford Hospital (Conn.) on Friday, September 7, following a long and courageous bout with cancer. Ken, a distinguished corporate public relations executive, communications consultant, writer, poet and educator, was best defined as a giving teacher, guiding mentor, selfless volunteer, devoted husband and wonderfully loving father. He was long a leader in the public relations professional community in the Stamford-Westchester (New York) area and led a team of PR volunteers who helped Stamford set national and world records for training citizens to perform CPR. Born May 28, 1949, in Pulaski, Wisconsin to Mitchell and Lorraine Koprowski, Ken grew up in Chicago and central and northern Wisconsin. He married his beloved wife, Pamela Cardinale in Stamford, Conn. Ken earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a master’s in Creative Writing from Syracuse University. For the past 40 years, he lived and worked in New York, southwestern Connecticut and southern Vermont, building an enviable career in public relations. Ken was a communications leader at GE Energy Financial Services from its inception in early 2004 through 2009, and prior to that headed communications for GE Structured Finance for six years, managing all aspects of internal and external communications. He also served as a GE crisis manager for three years. Before GE, he was a communication consultant and managing director with River Communications, a financial public relations firm, providing strategic advisory services to major corporate clients including American Express and Wells Fargo. Prior to that, Ken led U.S. marketing communications for Price Waterhouse, U.S., was a lead communicator for Primerica Corporation/American Can Company (now Citigroup), and held communications management positions with Texaco, PepsiCo, International Paper, and United Parcel Service. Most recently, Ken taught advanced public relations writing and a range of public relations subjects in the master’s programs at New York University, Iona College and Manhattanville College. In addition, he taught crisis communication and reputation management – courses he designed – in the MBA program and business communications at UConn Stamford. His students valued his “real world” experience which he used to illustrate best practices. Ken volunteered with a number of community organizations and held leadership roles with a number of professional associations in Southwestern Connecticut. He served as chair of DomusKids for many years, working to ensure its long-term sustainability. He also was Treasurer, President and Past President of the Westchester-Fairfield Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and led the chapter’s effort that won first place in the 2012 National PR Serving America Award competition. Called Hands for Life Stamford 2012 (HFL), the campaign set a new U.S. record for training in hands-only CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and a new world record for training in the use of AEDs (automated electronic defibrillators). Today, nearly one in every 20 adults in the Stamford area is able to perform bystander CPR, which research shows can double the survival rate for cardiac arrest victims. The PRSA awards are considered the “Academy Awards” of the public relations profession. Ken also served as informal leader of a group called Thursday III, a self-created group of veteran public relations executives who gathered monthly in Stamford to exchange ideas, share stories and enjoy camaraderie. His 2016 collection of poetry, “Fathers—Collected Poems 1973-2015” from Ravenswood Publishing explores the mysteries, triumphs, magic, humor, pain and loss that are part of being a son and father. Ken is survived by his wife, Pamela; his daughter, Lauren and her husband, Christian; his three sons, Jacob, Joseph and Anthony; and nine grandchildren. Also surviving are his mother, Lorraine, two brothers, a sister and their spouses. His father, Mitchell Koprowski predeceased him. A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, September 22nd at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ken’s memory to: Thumbelina Fund c/o Fairfield County Community Foundation, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854. The Koprowski family would like to thank the staff of the Stamford Hospital for their kindness, help and support, and extend its deepest appreciation to all their friends for their outpouring of love and support. The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford, CT. If you would like to leave a condolence message for the family you may visit the guestbook on bosakfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Kenneth M. Koprowski

May 28, 1949 - September 7, 2018