Michael Paul Kapusnak

The greatest father, husband, "Papa", father-in-law, and brother passed away this week. Michael Paul Kapusnak passed away suddenly at Crittenton Hospital after being admitted with abdominal pain. He and his beloved wife, Mary Ann (Wilk), celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August. He leaves behind three children - Joseph Michael Kapusnak, Thomas Alan Kapp (Bonnie), and Karen Michelle Smyth (Steve) and his cherished grandchildren, Michael Patrick and Caroline Rose Smyth. Mike was also an awesome brother to Thomas Kapusnak, Carol Kapusnak, and Barbara Stanley (Carl). He went to the University of Detroit for college, but remained a loyal fan of U of D Titan's Basketball team for life. Mike worked as a insurance sales agent for AAA for 40 years - a job that he truly loved. If you want a template for a life well-lived, you don't have to look further than my father. Just last week when I called him after Notre Dame's amazing victory over LSU in their Bowl Game, he said wisely, "Savor the Victory." And when I called Joe on New Year's Day to congratulate him on Michigan State's victory, he put Dad on speaker phone and Dad said the same thing in a strong, solid voice, "Savor the Victory." It was as if he was telling us to enjoy the moment as well as savor all of the precious moments in life. I know he certainly did. I think that everyone who knew him loved him. As kids, we idolized him. And as adults, he was still the one I would call when ND won a game or Joe would ask to come with him to the MSU football games. And, well, Tom would fly across a country or continent just to be with his DAD at a Lions game. Our Dad loved his Detroit Lions - wearing Honolulu Blue and cheering for them year after disappointing year. But that love could not compare to his love and absolute devotion to my mom. My father was strong and proud and didn't like to appear weak. The only time that I ever heard his voice tremble was the night before my mom's hip surgery. Their love was for the ages. Because it started small and grew and grew and grew until they became the most loving, united couple I knew. My Dad said it himself when accepting an award at a AAA banquet, thanked my mom, saying, "You were the inspiration behind all of my success." You saw it every day in the way that they seamlessly knew each other. In the way, he bought her a Starbucks grande nonfat latte every single afternoon. Dad realized that he had won the lottery when Mary Ann Wilk married him and gave him three beautiful kids. And their love became even more palpable over time - the 50's cruises, the Tigers season tickets, the DSO concerts, and their weekly movie dates. My Dad may not be here, but their love will never die. There are very few people who are loved, respected, and appreciated by not only their families, but friends, neighbors, colleagues, fellow baseball coaches, NOBF Board Members, and the players they coach. My Dad was that person. He made everyone better by just interacting with them. His retirement cards would make you cry. His baseball players from last season said that they "enjoyed every minute playing for him" while players from 20 years ago, still come up to me and say, "your Dad was the best coach I ever had" - and these boys went on to play in college and the minor leagues. He encouraged, he was positive, and it worked. He taught the fundamentals of the sport and of good sportsmanship. He has about a million trophies to prove it, but more important to him than the hardware was making sure his players never lost their passion for the game. I know he is in Heaven now (missing my Mom a LOT) but away from any pain. And I know Uncle Joe was there to greet his favorite nephew with open arms and a funny story. I will miss you Di, but I know that you are in a better place, the best place that anyone can ever be. So, Savor the Victory. I love you, Daddy. I always will, but you gave me this strength and love and I am so grateful. And I know that the best thing that I can do - that we all can do - to honor your legacy, is strive to live life the way you did - full of passion, family, and faith. Because then you will live on through us. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated to N.O.B.F. (North Oakland Baseball Federation) for the Oakland A's Team or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliott St., Detroit, MI 48207, Envelopes for both are available at the funeral home