Charles Bishop Karpa was born at home in Elizabeth City County, now known as Newport News, Virginia on August 6, 1925 to Mary Bishop and John Bernard Karpa. He was a longtime Hampton resident, and a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
Known as "Bubba", Charlie was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, teacher and friend. He deeply loved his family, friends, Church and God, and enjoyed many years as a hard-working auto and boat mechanic and was an engineering technician at NASA for 35 years, retiring in 1989. His passions included model trains, designing and creating model boats, and sharing the bounty of his garden.
Charlie enjoyed life to the fullest and was happiest when he was outdoors, riding his bicycle, gardening, fishing and especially sailing on the "Blu-Chip II" with Bill Saunders who would always thank Joanna "for giving Charlie the kitchen pass". He set sail with blue skies filled with large white clouds following seas to heaven above on May 31, 2016. He will be dearly missed.
Preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Jacqueline Karpa and Jacqueline Karpa Garrison, and nephew Stephen Lawrence Karpa. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Joanna Bartoshesky Karpa, four children; Charles Bishop Karpa, Jr. and wife Pamela of Fuquay-Varina, NC, David Allen Karpa and wife Jamie of Hampton, Patricia Karpa Brzeski and husband Richard of Yorktown, and Ann Marie Karpa of Hampton, six grandchildren; Charles Bishop Karpa, III and wife Dawn, Andrew Neal Karpa and wife Kathleen, Matthew Raymond Brzeski, Amy Marie Brzeski, Justin David Brzeski, and Mark William Brzeski, bonus grandchildren Justin James Cline and Alexandria Lynn Cline, and four great-grandchildren; Ethan Daniel Karpa, Kaley Seviah Karpa, Grace Isabella Karpa, and Madison Jane Karpa, and his brother John Bernard Karpa, Jr. and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at St Joseph Catholic Church on June 8th from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., followed by a memorial Mass of Christian Burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Avenue 23664-0126 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.