Michael M. Pupko

Michael M. Pupko of Colden, NY, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the age of 68.

He was born on May 9, 1955 in Sosua, Dominican Republic, to the late Moses Pupko and Marianne C. Schuler-Pupko, refugees from Nazi, Germany.

The family emigrated to the U.S. when Michael was still an infant, settling in Remsen, NY, to be close to family friends, the Landeckers. The family ran a dairy farm in Boonville, NY, where Michael and his sister, Eleanor, managed and milked cows until the early '90s during which Michael was an active N.F.O member. After the cows were sold, he started a career of ski instructing in Telluride, CO; specializing in foot balance and eventually patented a device to enable individuals to maintain better balance to ensure optimal skiing. He also worked as a jeweler, developing his own unique creations. In 1997, he and his wife welcomed their daughter into the world. Living in Colden, NY, since 1999, Michael was a devoted father, avid gardener, skier, friend of the neighborhood, and Christian Scientist.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Lankenau; daughter, Julia Pupko of East Granville, VT; sister, Eleanor Pupko of Rhinebeck, NY; brother-in-law, Jim Newhouse of Hawaii; niece and nephew: Damian Wisniewski of San Francisco, CA, and Elena Newhouse of Hawaii.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Irene Newhouse.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this summer.

Memorials may be made to a non-profit reforestation project established by his daughter: Sostete pou Rebwaze duchity, Haiti at Support our Work - https://www.srdhaiti.org/take-action

Online condolences may be made at www.smithweismantelfuneralhome.com.