The son of Stanley “Rook” Kopszywa and Lola Mae Broussard, Michael Kopszywa was born in Biloxi in 1949. As early as the age of three, Michael would go out on the boat with his father learning about fishing, boating and the love of seafood industry life. This would be a legacy he would carry down to his own children he shared with his wife, Melinda.
Often away for weeks at a time working in Dulac, LA, Michael provided for his family telling his children he was “out catching money!” He never missed an opportunity to guide younger fishermen and train deckhands in the boating life often inspiring them to purchase a boat of their own. These young fishermen knew that “wherever Mike was, there were shrimp” and would follow in his path. His willingness to assist others did not stop at the shore – Michael would pick up items at the food pantry and deliver to neighbors who hadn’t the means or family support to get there, never asking for a thing in return.
Michael would own four boats in his career that lasted until his retirement following Hurricane Katrina. The first was a 32-foot boat named “Cheryl Lynn” after his daughter, which he worked from 1969-1979. He then had a 42-foot Biloxi lugger built by master boat builder Bill Holland. This boat which he named for his son “Michael Jr.”, would be the first to wear the signature “K” on the sides for which Mr. Kopszywa’s vessels were known. Michael would work this boat until he sold it in 1992. The final two boats he would own would be the “Margaret Ann” and the “Critter Getter”.
Preserving not only his family’s legacy but the history and heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been of great importance to Michael. In fact, he donated Indian pottery and artifacts that he caught in his nets after Katrina to the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum to share with others. It is for his hard work, generous spirit and loyalty to the preservation of Coastal heritage that Michael Kopszywa is recognized in the Heritage Hall of Fame.
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