Jerzy "Yurek" G. Kepinski

Born in Krakow Poland, Yurek was the oldest son of the late Bronislaw and Zofia Kepinski. He is survived by his beloved wife Maryanne, his precious children: Joshua, Andrew, Daniel and Stefanie; and his grandsons Daniel and Greysen who also brought him great joy. He is survived by his brothers Andrezj and Waclaw; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

When Yurek was a toddler, he and his parents moved to Warsaw. Upon completing high school, he served his time in the military. After developing his skills in tennis, he taught at local tennis clubs. In 1971, he emigrated to the United States. Yurek met that transition with immense dignity. Carrying the heavy weight of being uprooted from everything he knew, adjusting to an entirely new world wasn’t easy, but he forged ahead and built a life here. While he dedicated himself to the ordinary, essential routines of building a peaceful life, he kept a whole world inside him.

After a turbulent period of being stateless, his path eventually led him to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Stepping from a sophisticated life in Poland into a small American town was a profound transition.

To many who encountered him, Yurek was simply a quiet, hardworking man who came from Poland with an accent. It is easy for a busy world to overlook the profound history carried by a stranger, but the truth is, he arrived in America having already lost a whole world of his own.

Yurek’s first experience working in Massachusetts was at a rehabilitation facility. In 1976, he became the first tennis pro at the Lakeville Tennis Club. His studies in sports medicine led him to the nursing program at SMU. The skills he developed as a tennis player and coach in Poland, earned him a position as head coach for the University’s Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams.

Yurek met the love of his life, Maryanne, in August of ’73 at Andy’s in Westport. From the moment they met dancing and music became their common bond. They married in August of ’75, and settled in Westport, where they raised their beautiful family. Whether it was playing tennis or table tennis with his sons or friends, taking long walks, running on the beach, or kayaking on the Westport River, he appreciated being outdoors and exercising. His commitment, kindness, and respect for others made him a valued and highly regarded team leader at Titleist until his retirement in 2018. Whenever Yurek encountered his coworkers, they would tell him that he was the best boss and wished he would return.

Yurek lived a life defined by resilience, unexpected journeys, and the deep bonds that bridge continents. He was a part of the monumental generation of 1968. While youth around the globe were rising in defiance—from anti-war protests in America to student movements in Warsaw—he found himself caught in the painful political upheavals and antisemitic purges that unjustly stripped him of his homeland. It was a generation unified by a global spirit of defiance. When he arrived in America, he stepped away from the front lines of history and quietly built a regular, hardworking life, waking up every morning to do the ordinary things that keep a family moving forward. He didn't boast about the history he carried. Yurek became an irreplaceable part of our lives, and an invaluable bridge to a circle of lifelong friends both in America and back in Poland. While he gave his family the security of a peaceful, everyday life, he always carried the proud heritage and complex love for the homeland that had once been his entire world. Yurek was a beloved husband, a cherished father, and a living testament to survival. We treasure the depth of his character and the quiet strength of his spirit. He was our hero.

Yurek’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association - Hospice for their compassionate care of our Yurek.

For those wishing to honor Yurek’s memory, please consider making a donation to St. Teresa of Calcutta School Playground Fund 180 Orchard St. New Bedford, MA 02740.

Arrangements were private and in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home, 230 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth MA 02748