Joseph John Kristopowitz Jr., a native of Wainscott, died at home in Liverpool, N.Y., on Oct. 22. He was 72. The cause was a heart attack.
Mr. Kristopowitz, who settled upstate after attending the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, loved the auto racing scene there, his family said. He spent many Saturday nights at the Oswego Speedway and regularly traveled to see 410 sprint car races. He also enjoyed dirt track racing and bowling.
Born at Southampton Hospital on Dec. 8, 1948, to Joseph Kristopowitz Sr. and the former Wanda Dankowksi, of Main Street in Wainscott, he grew up in that hamlet and graduated from East Hampton High School in 1966. After graduating from the Central City Business Institute, he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, stationed in Thailand for 13 months.
Afterward he started a career at Monson Welding in East Syracuse, where he worked for 14 years, later moving to Ames Taping Tools in North Syracuse. He ended his career at the Fuji Photo Film Company.
He and the former Dorothy Carpenter met through mutual friends and were married on Aug. 12, 1978. Mrs. Kristopowitz survives.
Mr. Kristopowitz is also survived by three children: Marvin Brew of Red Creek, N.Y., Bryan Kristopowitz of Liverpool, and Amanda Arndt of Waterloo, N.Y. Two grandsons, Alexander Brew and Griffin Arndt, also survive, as does a sister, Emily Smeraldo of Naples, Fla. Another sister, Susan Kristopowitz, died before him.
His family said he leaves behind his two dogs and “best buddies,” Jake and Junior.
Mr. Kristopowitz’s family is grateful to the emergency medical technicians from Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance and Officer Kevin Swartwood of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.
A private service and celebration of his life was held on Oct. 28 at the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in North Syracuse, followed by burial at Pine Plains Cemetery in Clay, N.Y.
His family has suggested memorial contributions to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, at upstatefoundation.org, the Upstate Foundation Inc., 750 East Adams Street CAB326, Syracuse 13210, or Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance, 4425 Buckley Road, Liverpool 13090.
