AUBURN - Bernie Kupiec, 81, husband of Valerie Schmidtner Kupiec, of 36 Liberty St., died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, unexpectedly at his home.

A life resident of Auburn, he was the son of the late John and Tillie Radomska Kupiec. He was a communicant of St. Hyacinth Church. Bernie was an Army veteran of World War II and had been employed by New Process Gear Division of Chrysler Corporation until his retirement. He was a member and past president of the former Polish Home and a member of the Swietoniowski-Kopecz American Legion Post No. 1324 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1975.

Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Valerie Kupiec, of Auburn; his brother, John Kupiec, and his wife, Barbara, of Camillus; and several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, in St. Hyacinth Church. Internment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Nicpon Funeral Home, 235 State St.