----Source: "The History of St. Hedwig's Congregation, Thorp, Wisconsin--Commemorating the Diamond Anniversary 1891-1966;pg. 157

JOSEPH J. KOPERSKI

Joseph Koperski was born (14 Oct. 1910) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was two years old when his parents moved to Thorp, Wisconsin. He is the son of John Koperski and the late Katherine Koperski. He received communion and was confirmed at St. Hedwig's Church.

He is a 1927 graduate of Thorp High School and received a Civil Engineering degree from Illinois Institute, Chicago, Illinois, in 1932. Since graduation he has done graduate work at Illinois Institute and Princeton University.

As a veteran of 31 years of service with the Corps of Engineers, he has been and is actively engaged in planning and designing of some of the largest projects in Florida, such as the Cross Florida Barge Canal, Atlantic Missile Range, Kennedy Missile Range, Central and Southern Florida Control Project, Four River Basins Water Management Project, and many other harbor and navigation and beach erosion projects. Also presently engaged in a study of a sea-level canal to replace the present Panama Canal. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Society of American Military Engineers, Florida Engineering Society, and many other Groups. Past President of the Jacksonville Branch and of the Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Mr. Koperski is nationally known for his engineering accomplishments and is a recipient of many honors and awards. Some of the more recent ones are: Florida Consulting Engineers' Plaque in 1963 presented for Outstanding Service to the Consulting Engineers of Florida; Wheeler Medal in 1964 presented annually by the Society of American Military Engineers to one engineer selected nationally for outstanding contribution to engineering with the Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army Award in 1965 for Meritorious Civilian Service; Florida Engineer of the Year, 1966 presented by the Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

He is married to the former Victoria Kowalczyk of Lublin and they reside at 4553 Verona Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida. They have two daughters. Barbara is married to Dr. Wayne Sieck and they have a daughter 3 years old. Janet is a Senior at Florida State University, majoring in biology and chemistry.

***Joseph John Koperski died 14 Feb 1997 and is buried in the New St. Hedwig Cemetery, Thorp, Wis.