louis kuntupis
Louis Kuntupis, a Hall of Fame educator in the Weirton Public Schools, died Wednesday, April 1, 2020. He was 87 years old. Louie was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to George and Sofia Rodites Kuntupis on July 26, 1932, weighing in at 14 pounds. He graduated from Weir High School in 1950. In 1951, Louie served his country for two years as a medic in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return to Weirton, Louie enrolled in college, earning his Bachelor’s Degree from West Liberty State College and eventually his Master’s Degree from West Virginia University. In 1956, he and his college roommate, Steve Psaroudis, attended a dance in Pittsburgh, and that is where Louie met the love of his life, Barbara Fillmore. On August 3, 1957, they married and over the next 62 years, were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. Recently Louie was asked if he could have one more wish in life what would it be? His answer was to spend another lifetime with his wife. For over 30 years, Lou taught Social Studies and English for the Hancock County School Board. He started at Broadview Junior High and finished his career at Weir High School. Louie was known for his unique style of teaching, always going the extra mile to help his students. His advice to other educators was that “the students may not remember everything you taught them, but they will always remember that you cared.” Outside the classroom, Lou spent many years coaching and umpiring. He even played semi-pro softball, where he was known throughout the valley as “Ironman Louis.” For many years he was the caretaker at Three Springs Cemetery. For enjoyment, Louie liked to bet the horses at the track, where he placed many two-dollar bets. At times he could not pick a winner in a one-horse race. Most of all, Lou’s life was about providing for his family, helping and teaching others in need, continually finding the good in others. One of his famous quotes, “Never take life too seriously; you will never get out alive.” Louie was a member of the Colliers First Church of God. In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his brother Michael Kuntupis. He will be remembered with love by his wife, Barbara Fillmore Kuntupis, his sons, George (Carla) Kuntupis and John and Connie Kuntupis; daughters, Linda and Krissy Kuntupis, grandchildren, Alex, Cory, Cody, Eli and Morgan Kuntupis, Manon Misto, and Alexia Davis; his sister, Irene Kopral. A memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, August 8 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the First Westminster Presbyterian Church, 235 North 4th Street, Steubenville, OH with Military Services being conducted at 2:00PM by the Wright Patterson Air Force Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Colliers First Church of God 67 Police Lodge Rd Colliers, WV 26035.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I loved Mr. Kuntupis! I have many great memories of his class, but what I most remember is how he greeted each of us every single day and showed a genuine concern for us. He truly educated the whole child. I have carried this lesson with me into my own classroom. Thank you for that Mr. K. May your memory be eternal and may your legacy live on through all who knew you.

  2. So sorry for your loss. Mr. Kuntupis was my English teacher in Junior High, and my all-time favorite teacher. Although many years have passed, his influence has stayed with me throughout my life. He believed in me and because of him I found a love of learning and poetry. I will forever be grateful for his vision. Prayers for you to get through this difficult time.

  3. Dear George and family: so sorry your Dad has passed. He was such an example of a wonderful family man and great citizen of Weirton …He will be missed…..Sincerely Stephanie and George Gurrera

  4. Dear George and family, sorry to hear of your dads passing, we had alot of fun working Football and Basketball over the years many, many good memories ,he will be missed by many, Peace be with you my friend

  5. George, John and families, had your dad as my English teacher at Weir. Such a great educator, lots of life lessons. He was one of a kind, blessed to know him. Prayers to you all at this time. Tracy Solomon DiBacco

  6. Condolences to the family. Great hearted & kind person. Outstanding educator & official. He loved doing both. We were neighbors on Ave. E. Great Family! Vince & Kay Monseau

  7. George and family of Lou Kuntupis Vic and I would like to extend our condolences to you and the family. With Lou passing it is a sad day for not just your family but also for all of those individuals Lou has touched with his kindness and willingness to help them no matter what they were attempting to do. From our family to yours, please accept our sympathies and prayers. God Bless Dave and Vicki Reitter

  8. I am so sad to hear this, he was probably the biggest influence on me, as a child next to my father. He was my teacher in school, and my boss when I worked for him at the cemetery, and when I delivered his newspaper. He was a great friend of the family, and a neighbor. I’ll never forget how much he and Barb loved playing cards with my parents. He will truly be missed. May his memory be eternal. If anyone in the family needs anything please let me know. Jim Kikilidis and family.

  9. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time, May you come to know that the love of God is with you always, May your memories of Louis Kuntupis, give you peace, comfort and strength… Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete. I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to the family of …. US Air Force Veteran, Louis Kuntupis, is “A True American Hero” God Bless† † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

  10. My deepest sympathy to Louies family may his soul Rest In Peace. He was a former AHEPA softball teammate and coached my son in junior high football where Weir beat big red teams every year with only one coach and they had four or five coaches the kids loved him and played hard for him. A lot of good memories

  11. Sorry to hear about Lou, I remember him coming in to Farrans Barershop where I work. Prayers and sympathy to his family.

  12. My deepest sympathy to the family. Mr K has always been one of my very favorite teachers. Always had a smile on his face & I was so happy to run into him in recent years to tell him what a kind human being & wonderful teacher I think he is. 😢🌈

  13. Bon voyage, Mr Kuntupis…my junior high coach and teacher. Thanks for the impact you had on my life. Gary Vanniere

  14. Lou was a pleasure to umpire with. I learned how to be a fair and honest umpire in life and on the bases. Rest In Peace, my friend. Dave Hinerman

  15. GEORGE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME. OUR LOVE. BURKE & POLLY SULLIVAN FAMILY.

  16. Please accept my condolences on the passing of a wonderful person and educator. Mr. Kuntupis was my seventh-grade English teacher at Broadview Elementary the year we had half-day classes because of the baby boom. I gave my first oral book report with his help and encouragement. He was kind, thoughtful, genuinely interested in his students’ progress. I have never forgotten him. Susan Spencer-Smith (nee Kearns)

  17. George, my “best man”, best friend and family: So tough to put into words how sorry I am for your loss. Your dad was one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met. So, many years of memories on the diamond and off. We’ve all heard it…”there is no crying in baseball”, but there sure is today. Peace and comfort, my friend, to you all. God Bless. Terry DiBacco

  18. Barb and family so sorry for your loss, May God Bless and heal your 💔💔💔. God has gained a perfect angel 😇. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 🙏❤️🙏 Dick and Shirley Chambers

  19. I remember his classes well. He was a wonderful educator and a kind man. May his memory be eternal. Christine Tunanidis, Weir High Class of 1978

  20. I will always remember Mr. Kuntupis from Broadview school as one of my favorite teachers. He made learning fun and showed that he cared for us students. My sincere condolences to his family. Please know that your husband, father, and grandfather was a very caring and loving person to everyone he taught. God Bless. Sandi (Lisheski) Gajtka My husband Ray has same sentiments as he had Mr. Kuntupis at Weir Junior High. And remembers “Louie” on the softball field. Our love to you and yours.

  21. I always heard that Mr. Kuntupis was a great school teacher but he was also a great instructor in training sports officials including me. He had the greatest influence over my umpiring career and taught me many lessons . Truly a great loss to family and all.

  22. Mr. K, as I always called him, was my father’s close friend as a fellow school teacher. He was always kind and jovial and just made you smile every time you saw him. Mr. K was my first baseball coach at age 6 and later my boss when I cut grass at Three Springs Cemetery one summer. I remember eating Greek food like egg and lemon soup with rice at his mothers house downtown by the old junior high. I always saw the great love he had for his wife, Mrs. K, and his children, George, Linda, John and Krissy. I watched him play pinochle a time or two and marveled at what a great card player he was. When he was umpiring a baseball or softball game he realized it was all about the kids or adults playing and made it a fun experience. I’ll miss you, Mr. K. Godspeed. Mike Nogay

  23. I remember Mr K as being an excellent, even-tempered teacher of English. Challenging but with no curve balls or surprises. My wife Kay & I will miss paying our respects during visitation due to the circumstances, but please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. May The Lord continue to richly bless your family.

  24. Godspeed to one of the nicest, friendliest, and most generous men I’ve had the joy of knowing. I never had him as a teacher in the classroom, but had that privilege on the ballfield many times. He could calm down any situation in any atmosphere, was amazing to watch and experience as an umpire. He was one of those guys that always made you feel better when you saw and spoke to him. My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of one special man. Jay DeSantis

  25. We would like to send our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of Lou. He was a generous and kind man. He shorly will be missed. I taught, went to WVU, worked at the cementary, and umpired with him. May God bless all of you at this time. Bob Koper & Family

  26. To Mr. Kuntupis’ family. I would like to pass on my condolences to George and the family. I remember him so well while growing up in Weirton. He was a good man. May he rest in peace. Bernie Kelly

  27. The family of the late John Paul and Gwen Jones, from New Cumberland, send our sincere condolences to you all.

  28. Barb, George,Linda,Johnny , Krissy and the Kuntupis Family, Our condolences to you all. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Memory Eternal! Bill and Paulette Galiotos Minnie Bogdan

  29. All my love and sympathy to all of you. The world lost a great, loving, caring man. I am so honored and blessed to have known him and call him my friend. I hope to see and hug all of you at the memorial celebration. Eternal Memory. I love you Barb.

  30. Louie was the best. He taught us what life was about and never was too busy to listen and offer his help. My husband spent a lot of time with Louie working at the cemetery, umpiring, teaching, coaching. A wonderful, fair man and a better friend.

  31. Dear John and Family, I am so sorry for your loss and hope you find comfort knowing how much I thought of your father. I still talk about the fun I had in his English class. You may remember Kenny Golden affectionately nicknaming him KaNupe, Nupe for short. He was one of the most patient men I had the honor to know. Peace to you and yours. Troy Grant

  32. to all the family, My condolence & sympathy to each of you in your loss. Lou was a wonderful friend and mentor to me. I passed through Broadview and Weir Jr. without being in Mr. K’s classroom, but learned my lessons from a great teacher in the bigger classroom of life via umpiring and athletics. Never bigger than the game, Louie taught me the meaning of officiating integrity. I worked my first high school baseball game with Lou. We worked well over 100 games together, from Little League to college. When I was 12, I delivered the Weir Daily Times to Penna. Ave. A few years later, George did likewise to my home on 24th St. My prayers are with you at this trying time and your loss. Ron Hutson

  33. To Lou’s family … please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of the patriarch of your family ….. I remember Lou quite well…for I am thankful that we were colleagues for a time when I was also an educator at Weir High School. Lou was very unique… he was so calm…and so very humble… I especially treasure the many many discussions at Weir high. He truly did touch thousands of students and hundreds of us fellow educators with his calm and thoughtful demeanor …. May you rest in peace my friend. Walt Angelini

  34. The Kuntupis Family: Sorry for your loss. Louie was a great guy. Weirton will miss him. Jim Horstman.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. Candle Selection 1
  2. Candle Selection 2
  3. Candle Selection 3
  4. Candle Selection 4
  5. Candle Selection 5
  6. Candle Selection 6
  7. Candle Selection 7
  8. Candle Selection 8