John Conrad Pupa

John Conrad Pupa died unexpectedly on June 20, 2022, at age of 25 from a very acute sudden onset of respiratory distress and asthma resulting in cardiac arrest. John was born on December 11, 1996, to Mary Ruth and Edward R. Pupa in Raleigh, North Carolina, and most recently resided in Sumter, South Carolina, where he was beginning his professional career as a research and development chemist at Martech Research.

John was loved by family and friends for his quiet nature, steadfast demeanor, and the calming presence he imparted to those around him. He approached all he undertook with purpose and competence fueled by a keen sense of curiosity. John was a proud Ravenscroft “lifer” from his time in the Lower School until his graduation with the Class of 2015 from the Upper School, which included being a member of the National Honor Society. John applied himself as fully to his extracurriculars just as he did to his studies. During his time at Ravenscroft, he enjoyed being part of the middle school and varsity wrestling teams, and his love of music, with its many genres and contextual elements, was fostered during his many years as a saxophonist in the Ravenscroft Concert and Jazz bands as well as in the NC State Jazz Band. John enjoyed all types of music with his friends and played a moving musical tribute at the age of 11 at his granddaddy’s funeral as a special way to honor his grandfather.

As a young boy John discovered a love for the natural world that he carried into his adulthood. Some of his favorite activities included camping, backpacking, and spending time at the beach inshore and offshore fishing with his father and cousin, Jack. He was always happiest at the coast whether he was enjoying the intercoastal waterway or volunteering at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island. At the end of middle school, John was accepted into the Junior Curator Program at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences where he spent four years supporting the museum’s conservation efforts through educational programs, field service projects, and working with the living collection of animals that lived at the museum.

It was a natural progression for John to pursue a degree in chemistry at North Carolina State University where he excelled in the laboratory and studied abroad in China and Poland under the supervision of Dr. Stefan Franzen. Always modest, only those closest to John were aware of his intellectual abilities and his affinity for analytical pursuits. John knew chemistry wouldn’t be easy, but he accepted the challenge and never wavered from his chosen degree path.

John loved all sports, especially watching football and hockey, and playing disc golf. He grew up in a family of UNC Tar Heels and ECU Pirates, but his loyalty was always first to the Wolfpack. John enjoyed the family fun rivalries, but he could be convinced to pull for the other side if NC State wasn’t playing. During college and after graduation, John loved tailgating at the NC State football games with his friends.

John’s graduation from NC State coincided with the onset of the pandemic and subsequent business shutdown resulting in delays in opportunities for new chemists in the spring of 2020. Not one to remain idle, John moved back home and accepted a position at Raleigh Reclaimed which specializes in woodcraft using reclaimed wood and fallen trees. John learned fine craftsman skills, inspired by the beauty of mother nature and individual species. He created custom pieces for his family that they will always keep and cherish. John’s parents are more grateful than ever for the gift of having John home during the pandemic, and they will always treasure the special time together.

As so many have shared, when you met John, you knew who he was and what was important to him. He knew his own heart and was secure in his life choices and didn’t seek the approval of others. He loved North Carolina, the state of his birth and heritage, and so fittingly embodied its motto, Esse Quam Videri – To Be Rather Than to Seem.

John is survived by his parents Mary Ruth and Ed Pupa of Raleigh NC, sister Sarah Pupa of Atlanta, GA, brother Aaron Pupa and wife Kristen of St. Louis, MO, and brother Nicholas Pupa and wife Kristen of Holly Springs, NC; his aunts and uncles, Elizabeth and Bo Dempster of Raleigh, NC, Tom and Linda Pupa of Hartsville, SC, and Walt and Linda Pupa of Raleigh, NC; cousins Jack and Kate Dempster, and Ben, Jordan, and Jessica Pupa. John is preceded in death by his grandparents Dr. David H. Jones, Margaret Sherrod Fountain, and Walt and Betty Pupa.

John’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 30th at 2:00 pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh, NC 27608.

Memorials in honor of John Pupa may be made to the Junior Curator Program, Friends of the Museum - NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601 or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC.