Aaron James Popowitch, son of Cecelia (nee Balais) and the late James Popowitch, passed away at his home in Rock Hill, SC, on April 18, 2018, one day shy of his 45^th birthday. Aaron is survived by the love of his life, Elena Popowitch; his mother; siblings John (Jennifer), Joseph (Alyssa), and Jamie (Wilson) Georges; nine nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

 

Aaron was born on April 19, 1973 to James “Jim” and Cecelia “Sis” Popowitch. He attended LaGrange Highlands Elementary and Middle School and graduated from Lyons Township High School, where he participated in soccer and track. He went on to earn a BS in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

 

For fun, Aaron spent many years as a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) and was a founding member of the Chicago Swordplay Guild. As well as being a history buff, he loved fine dining and enjoyed watching Formula One racing, Premier League football, and Chicago sports. He never met a dog or cat he didn’t like, even adopting a stray cat he found: his treasured “Nugget.”

 

While living in Wisconsin, Aaron met his beloved Elena. They moved to Baltimore, wed in 2007, and had many happy years together.  They moved to North Carolina where Aaron took pleasure in using his managerial skills to advance the careers of others; most recently as the Director of Quality Assurance at NutraMax Laboratories in South Carolina.

 

Aaron was a caring uncle, brother, and husband as well as a gifted leader and manager. His siblings fondly remember him. There was the time Joe and Aaron broke the lamp, glued it back together, and watched nervously to see if mom noticed. He was there to make toasts at John’s and Joe’s weddings. Aaron was the big one, the strong one. He was Joe’s roommate in college and later shared an apartment with John. His siblings remember playing in the backyard, sharing a bedroom, confiding secrets, inside jokes, graduations, vacations, soccer tournaments, track meets, late nights, his snoring, his laugh, his frown, his smile, the sound of his voice, fighting together, laughing together, growing up together.

 

Aaron’s family and friends loved him very much, and he will be deeply missed.

 

Those wishing to so honor Aaron’s life are encouraged to make a donation to the Independent Animal Rescue (https://www.animalrescue.net/) or their favorite animal welfare charity.

 

A memorial for Aaron will be held at the Hallowell & James Funeral Home in Countryside, IL, on May 19, 2018 from 5-9 p.m. (Eulogies to start at 7 p.m. People are welcome to share their remembrances).