Pittsburgh: 412-787-1800 | Peters Township: 724-260-5546

Dr. J. Kaye Cupples

  • On September 24, 2019
  • 26 Comments

Dr. J. Kaye Cupples, age 68 of South Fayette, PA passed away surrounded by family and friends on Monday, September 23, 2019. Born on January 9, 1951, he was the son of the late Grace and George Cupples. Loving father to Jason and his wife Dana Cupples. Cherished PaPa to Ethan Cupples and Connor Zold. Loving brother to Lorraine and her husband Tony DeFilippo, Lynn and husband Kenny Hoak and Anne and husband Lou Woistman. Dear uncle to Christopher and wife Natalie DeFillippo, Lynne and husband William St. Hilarie and Andrea and husband Ben Yezer, Janelle and Samantha Hoak, and Erik and Katey Woistman. Kaye was also blessed with 2 great nieces and 4 great nephews. He was survived by many loving cousins whom he enjoyed sharing his home with on Christmas Eve.

Kaye’s longtime career at Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) demonstrated his passion for students with disabilities and special needs. He started his career as a Speech and Language Pathologist where he transitioned to a becoming a Speech and Language Pathologist who worked exclusively with the deaf/hearing impaired at PPS. He then became a Supervisor in Special Education and rose to become the Associate Director of Division for Exceptional Children where he eventually became the Director at PPS. Kaye’s last position at PPS was the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent encompassing athletics, students with exceptionalities, and student services. He was an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Carlow University, and Point Park University, and later became the Department Head at Point Park. He was the author of numerous articles related to special education. Kaye was a Principle Partner of WingSpan Alliance Special Education Consulting Services including the Summit Academy. He served on the board at The Watson Institute and The PEAL Center. After his retirement, he was instrumental in establishing City Connections. Kaye’s passion for education was demonstrated by his achievement of 2 Master’s degrees, a Doctorate, and a Letter of Superintendency.

Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, September 26, 2019 from 3 PM – 7 PM at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317, (724) 260-5546. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Louise de Marillac, 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. A private burial will take place at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kaye’s name to Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, emmauspgh.org.

Please view and sign the family’s online guestbook at pittsburghcremation.com.

Leave a Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

26 Comments

Daniel Donahoe
On behalf of the Donahoe family, Kaye was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. He was truly a great friend and companion of Kathy for 30 years. I will miss spending Christmas Eve's with Kaye discussing everything Pitt. God bless Kaye
Barbara
Jason & family, I send my deepest sympathy to you. Your father was a family friend & I remember him well growing up. He was always interested in what I had to say, always laughing & sharing his great smile. Know that he is in the arms of our Heavenly Father and at peace. Sincerely, Barbara McKnight-Adams
Carol Tabas
Dr Cupples was one of the first people I had contact with upon moving to Pittsburgh. He could not have made the transition for my son with special needs any smoother. Basically he spoiled us and set the bar very high. I’m so sorry he has left us. Truly a great man with a big heart.
Misty Townsend-Doy
What a profound loss for the family and all who knew him. I learned so much working with Kaye professionally and also as the parent of a student who needed his help to navigate the system. Rest with God, Kaye—you will be missed.
Mary Ellen Kirby
Kaye Cupples was truly one of the brightest stars in the PPS firmament. I sat in on many a conference with him and he was consistently fair, wise and kind as he acted in the best interest of the student. I send my heartfelt sympathy to his family and hope they are comforted to know how much he was respected, admired, and loved by his many colleagues and friends, as well as the children and families he championed.
1 3 4 5 6
MENU