Master Gardener From Caldwells Dies Of COVID; Gov. Offers Tribute

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — John “Jack” Kupcho of West Caldwell was a big reason why New Jersey is still known as the Garden State. And it’s just one of many reasons why the master horticulturalist will be missed, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

Murphy offered a tribute to Kupcho during a news conference on Friday, which was held to discuss the latest coronavirus developments in the state.

Sadly, Kupcho, who died on May 11 at the age of 83, is one of nearly 14,000 New Jersey residents who have now lost their lives to the virus, Murphy reported.

Kupcho, a U.S. Air Force veteran, became one of the most well-respected master gardeners in New Jersey. He had a career that spanned decades at Rutgers University, ultimately serving as chairman of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Management Agents at Cook College.

The expert horticulturalist was also heavily involved in his hometown, his obituary states:

“Active locally, Jack was involved with the West Caldwell Environmental Commission, where last August he was honored by having the West Caldwell Community Gardens named after him, the nominating committee of the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District, West Essex Handicap Horseshoe Pitching Club, and early on as a basketball coach for the Caldwell-West Caldwell boy’s leagues. He also coached the girl’s team at St. Aloysius Parish, where he was a long-time, devoted member.”

According to Kupcho’s obituary:

“In 1982, Jack and his wife, Mary Anne, assumed ownership of Pine Florist in Verona, where he could be found working in the greenhouses, offering advice and helping the novice gardener as well the veteran horticulturist … Throughout Jack’s life, family was of utmost importance to him. He looked forward to holiday gatherings and watching his grandchildren at sporting events, musicals, plays and other happenings. Some of his most cherished times were spent with them in Lake Placid. Almost everyone who knew him, especially in his later years, were regaled with stories of the wonderful New Year celebrations spent with his children and grandchildren at the Mirror Lake Inn.”

Watch the governor’s tribute to Kupcho below (it begins at 17 minutes and 20 seconds). Read his full obituary and see a commemorative video here.

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