Michael Lopukhin

Michael Lopukhin completed his journey to his next life in the early morning hours of June 26, 2016, after a long illness. He was in the company of his daughter, Alexandra. Michael Lopukhin was born on June 7, 1931 in Kalinin, Soviet Union (now Tver, Russia), the youngest of seven children of Alexis and Thekla (Meyendorff) Lopuchin. In 1935, the family emigrated to Estonia where many family members had settled. Michael enjoyed an idyllic childhood there, at the family estate of Kumna. This abruptly ended when the Soviets invaded Estonia during World War II at which point the family had a choice to remain under Soviet control or go to Germany. They chose Germany, ending up in Berlin. After the War, they were “displaced persons”, who were settled in Munich, and then in 1949 they relocated once again, this time to the US. They were temporarily sheltered, along with many other Russian DP’s, in the former elephant stalls in the Clarkstown Country Club (now Nyack College) in South Nyack, NY . During this time, Michael first met his future wife, Elisabeth (Zishka) Koulomzin. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict, supporting military intelligence by translating Soviet technical manuals, and discharged in 1954, the same year he married Zishka. The GI Bill allowed him to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. He was a Social Worker who worked at the Welfare Department, in clinics and ultimately in private practice as a psychotherapist, seeing clients up until his illness. He was married to Zishka for 54 years, who predeceased him in 2008. He is survived by his children Olga (Don Krone), Tania, Alexandra and Andrei (Chris Van Wie), five grandchildren (Katie, Ellie, David, Sophia and Alexei), two sisters (Anna Ossorguine and Tania Rodzianko), numerous nephews, nieces, as well as a good friend and companion, Rena Schine. He enjoyed mushroom picking, travel, chess, wine, and intellectual discussions. Michael was a loving father, grandfather and avid Master Bridge player. Wednesday night: viewing from 5-7, with the service starting at 7. There will be finger food served downstairs at the church for those coming directly from work. Thursday morning: short service at the church starting at 9 then driving down to the cemetery. Lunch reception will follow the burial Church: St. Gregory's 1500 NY-376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Cemetery: Novo Diveevo 100 Smith Rd, Nanuet, NY 10954 Reception: 38 Glen Byron Avenue Nyack, NY 10960 In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice of Rockland County.