Leo Erikki (Erik) Kauppinen passed away January 12, 2015. Born October 10, 1923 in Jääski, Karjala, Finland, he was the son of Juho Viktor Kauppinen (deceased 1953) and Alma Maria Kauppinen (nee Kemppainen), deceased 1959, both of Jääski, Finland. Erik was the youngest of ten siblings and was predeceased by his 3 brothers, 4 sisters, and his other 2 siblings who passed as infants. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Aune Helena (Ann) Kauppinen (nee Kurri), his son Jukka and daughter-in-law Tuula Kauppinen of Helsinki, Finland, daughter Tarja, son-in-law David, grandchildren, Jane and Daniel Taylor of Chatham, NY and nieces and nephews in Finland and Australia. Erik was a WWII Veteran of Finland, where he served to protect the Karjala homestead and preserve the independence of Finland in Continuation War 1941-1944 against Russia as well as expelling German forces from Lapland until the war ended. Karjala was lost to Russia but Finland kept its independence to present day. Erik studied metal working after the war and went on to become a machinist and an engineer. In 1957, Erik, Ann and children left Finland and migrated to Melbourne, Australia. In 1966 the family moved to Los Angeles, Ca. and in 1985 after retiring, Ann and Erik came to live in Columbia County, NY. He is much loved and will be forever missed. There will be a memorial service at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham, on Friday January 30, 2015 from 5 to 7 pm. To convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com.