Kenneth "Ken" Szpila, 76

CHESHIRE, Mass. —  

Mr. Kenneth “Ken” Szpila, 76, of Cheshire, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

He was born in Adams on November 17, 1947, a son of the late Eugene and Ellen (O’Brien) Szpila. He attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams Memorial High School. He went on to earn his Associate of Arts degree from Berkshire Community College, his Bachelor of Education from the former North Adams State College, and his Master of Education from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Ken was an elementary school teacher for 36 years for the Adams Cheshire Regional School District, where he enjoyed organizing the annual 5th grade field trip to Sturbridge Village. He also worked at various supermarkets in the area for over 50 years before retiring from Market 32 in Pittsfield in 2016.

He was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. He was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association as well as the National Teachers Association.

In 1972, Ken met the love of his life, the former Susan Koperniak, and they married on August 10, 1974. In addition to his wife of 49 years, he is survived by his two daughters, Kristina Inglis and her husband Kyle of Arlington, VA and Kate Szpila and her husband Matthew Kohner of Bangkok, Thailand; his brother, Jerry Szpila of Adams; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Quinten, Cazimer, Xander, Ethan, and Emma, who were his pride and joy and to whom he is fondly known as “Gramps.” He was predeceased by his brother Donald Szpila.

An avid Boston Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics sports fan, Ken enjoyed a playful rivalry with his New York Yankees-supporting wife. When he wasn’t cheering on his teams or analyzing sports statistics, he efficiently ran fantasy sports leagues and March Madness brackets for family and friends. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, who embodied the values of hard work, integrity, selflessness, loyalty, and dedication to family.

Calling hours are Sunday, December 3rd from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams. The funeral will be held on Monday, December 4th at 12:00 P.M. from the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1:00 P.M. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Adams.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Stanislaus Kostka Preservation Fund at www.SSKpreservation.org or to Diabetes Action, a research and education foundation, at www.diabetesaction.org

To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com