John Burpulis

On March 15, 2023 John left his wonderful life on earth at age 94 and ascended into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He was born in 1928 in Penns Grove, New Jersey to Samuel and Eugenia Burpulis originally from Kardamyla, Chios, Greece, and was the youngest of six children. He is predeceased by his devoted wife of 59 years Mary (nee Charatis) in August 2022, and his wonderful son Byron in November 2022. He is also predeceased by his parents and five siblings, which include Carrie Sicoutris, George Burpulis, Irene Livanos, Nicholas Burpulis and Costa Burpulis. The Burpulises are a large family, with 50 or so surviving members of the immediate family living in New Jersey, Ohio, New York and Delaware areas.

John graduated from Penns Grove Regional High School in 1947 and from the University of Delaware in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. At Delaware he was President of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and also an officer of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

Upon graduation he joined the DuPont Company and was employed for almost 50 years in various technical sales and marketing positions. Initially he was associated with the Atomic Energy Division in South Carolina, then the Elastomers Department, and finally in Dupont-Dow Elastomers, where he served as a Consultant. With DuPont, John attained the rank of Development Program Manager and had assignments in Aiken (SC), Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Tokyo (Japan) and lastly, Wilmington, Delaware. John gave many Technical presentations in the US and internationally, some were published. He was awarded three patents. He was a member of numerous professional and technical societies, and in most contributed and participated as an officer.

John was a member and on the Board of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington, Delaware, for many years, several of which he served as Youth Director. He served as President of the Hellenic University Club of Delaware. He was also a participating member of the Adelphia Associates Investment Club. John was an avid postage stamp collector and a long-time member of the Brandywine Valley Stamp Club. He was a Life Member of the American Philatelic Society. John read extensively and enjoyed working in his garden and yard. He enjoyed cooking a gourmet meal with his wife, and sharing it with family and friends. In later years, John and Mary spent their winter months in Marco Island, Florida and developed a “second family” of friends and neighbors whom they enjoyed and looked forward to seeing each year.

John will be greatly missed by his daughter, Barbara, and daughter-in-law, Kecia.

Family and friends are invited to attend the religious services at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 North Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday March 21, 2023. Visitation begins at 9am. The service will start at 10am. Burial will follow at the Lower Brandywine Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Rt. 52 (across from Winterthur), Wilmington, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
• Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
o 808 N Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806

OR TO

• University of Delaware: Class of 1952, Chemical Engineering Scholarship Fund
o Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 83 E. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Newark, DE 19716
o Online donation is also available.

May John’s Memory Be Eternal.