Cengiz Mehmet Durupinar

Cengiz is survived by his mother, Ulker Durupinar of Dublin, Ohio; his sister, Sitare Ozmeral and brother-in law, Cem Ozmeral of Dublin, Ohio; and his nieces Asli/Matt Weil of Lemont, Illinois and Esra/Scott Geither of Upper Arlington, Ohio. Cengiz was very loving, gentle, and protective of all his great nieces: Taylor Weil, Madison Weil, Ellise Weil of Lemont, Illinois and his nephews, Ashton Geither and Bryce Geither of Upper Arlington, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his father, Tayfur Ahmet Durupinar of Columbus, Ohio.

Cengiz was born into a close and loving family on October 24, 1962, by his mother and father, Tayfur and Ulker Durupinar. He held a special bond with his sister, Sitare, who loved him unconditionally and cared for him as if he was her son. Cengiz attended specialized schooling until the age of 18 and one of his greatest accomplishments was working in a sheltered workshop at Arc Industries West in Columbus, Ohio. He worked hard and had too much fun for 50 years at work and retired in 2023. Cengiz loved going to the workshop and made sure we all knew this by repeatedly saying “workshop, workshop, bus, workshop” during all hours of the day and night! His family’s dedication to giving him a meaningful and fulfilled life poured over into the compassion that Cengiz friends and caregivers showed him. His attention seeking personality kept his family and caregivers working very closely together and sharing a common goal of being “Team Cengiz.” “Team Cengiz” seemed to be what he created all throughout his life and brought people together.

Cengiz was passionate about spending time with his friends and family, dancing to music, bowling in his earlier years, and he would often indulge in silly jokes all in hopes to receive a laugh. His famous phrase of calling someone a “moruk,” the Turkish word for old man, was one of his signature moves, all in hopes to get a reaction. He loved treats like Diet Coke and never turned down ice cream, or as Cengiz would say, “Ice- Creeeeeeam” with a big smile on his face. Cengiz was a happy man who always wanted attention and liked to use sign language to express some of his favorite sayings such as “friends,” “home,” “pizza” or even “spaghetti!” Over the years, he became best friends with his caregiver, Chris Noon, who showed him the world in a different way, taught him independence, exposed him to new music and gave him a true friendship. After 50 years of living at home, Cengiz moved on and into a wonderful group home called I am Boundless on Derker. He enjoyed living in a small group setting with new friends, enjoyed the outdoors sitting on his patio set and spent his final years enjoying a peaceful life with family visiting often. Cengiz had a life full of love.

Everyone that met Cengiz loved him, and felt he was more than special; he truly touched people’s lives. His smile, his silly jokes, his chuckle, the ever-continuous mischievous but adorable behavior, and his truly kind heart are all things we will remember, and will never forget about him. He was truly one of a kind, or as Cengiz would say “sahane” the Turkish word for “fantastic!” We love him, we will miss him, and we wish him eternal peace and comfort.

A prayer ceremony will be held at the burial site at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at Union Cemetery on Olentangy Road, Columbus, Ohio Lot 22. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Gigi’s Playhouse, an organization our family volunteered with and supported which provides programming and support for people with Down syndrome and their families. https://gigisplayhouse.org/TinleyPark/support/

Condolences can be sent to [email protected]. The family would like to thank Arc Industries North Staff for 50 years of love and care and to the staff at I am Boundless on Derker for their efforts, care and for giving him a life of independence and the best home when it was time.