Explosion Victim Remembered

More details are emerging about one of the five people killed Sunday in the explosion at the Kleen Energy Power Plant in Middletown, Conn. Pipe-fitter Peter Chepulis, 48 of Thomaston, is being remembered as a big guy with a big heart.

 “You look at him he’d be intimidating but you’d talk to him and he was the nicest gentleman you ever met in your life he was one in a million,” Tom Royer, a longtime friend of Chepulis who says he spent his days hard at work said, “he loved his work he talked about it quite often and he thought the world of the people he worked with.”

 During his free time he indulged in his favorite hobbies, spending time at the Thomaston Fish and Game Club. When he wasn’t there he on his Harley said Royer, “if it was above 32 degrees he was riding,” or competing at town fairs and always the life of the party, “showing up to the turkey shoots with his Harley Davidson with its sidecar with all the shot guns on the side.”

Chepulis is survived by his wife of four years although they’d been together for 16 years according to Royer, “(they) ran off to Vegas, got married by Elvis and they did everything together they were best friends,” Royer said that was another example of Chepulis’ lively personality.

His family issued this statement: "Pete was the victim of the tragic explosion; he was loved by many, and will be deeply missed by his family and friends." 

“Its been tough he’s always been there going to miss his laugh and stories,” Royer said.

 Chepulis’ funeral has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13. It’ll be followed by a reception where his friends are expecting upwards of 300 people to attend.
 

Contact Us