By Melanie Robitaille, Sr. Staff Writer & Graphic Designer
There are people on this earth who leave indelible marks on humanity and the world around them, no matter where they go, what they do, or who they meet. They’re the glue, the connectors, the cheerleaders, and nothing could be truer of the way Roger Kopernik lived.
He built a reputation for being a purveyor of joy, seemingly dancing through life with an unmatched joie de vivre. He was the consummate entertainer, who could turn the simplest of gestures into a memorable moment through celebration. So, it seems only fitting that heaven welcomed his extraordinary soul home on the 4th of July, one of the greatest celebrations in the United States, after fighting a private battle with cancer.
Born on May 11, 1960, Roger spent almost his entire 66 years living in his home state of Michigan, aside from his time in Paris, France where he helped his sister operate her restaurant perfecting his pecan pie and falling in love with the nearby Luxembourg Gardens. Born and raised in Farmington Hills, his roots were in southern Michigan, but it was the north that would eventually call to him, and where he found home with EXIT Realty.
His nearly two-decade journey with the brand began as a sales representative in 2007, which would lead him onto management and finally the opening of his own EXIT Realty Premier office in 2013, in Cheboygan. It’s where his unwavering enthusiasm for people continued to shine, where he was able to love on his community, and help so many in it navigate one of life’s most important decisions. He dove into advocacy and governance as a 3-time past President of the Water Wonderland Board of REALTORS® and also sat on the Michigan REALTORS® Board of Directors for the 1st Congressional District.
He built a reputation for professionalism, earned trust, and is best known for his sincerity and genuine nature, not to mention his dance moves and singing voice that often came out. At EXIT, we may have had the pleasure and honor of knowing him in the industry, but his legacy reaches well beyond it. To many in his community he was a familiar face at events, fundraisers, and civic gatherings, where he was often the first to arrive and the last to leave. He was always connecting with people, possessing that rare ability to make everyone, from life-long area residents to local newcomers, feel welcome.
Known by his community leaders for helping to build and champion for Cheboygan, Roger was active in his local Chamber of Commerce, where many considered him one of the area’s most dedicated ambassadors, who helped to build the town through kindness, personal relationships, and his involvement in organizations such as the City of Cheboygan Planning Commission and Straits Area Services Board.
His life was a living testament to his belief of “seeking to inspire, because you can’t train desire.” For that, we’ll remember someone so much more than the sum of his real estate accomplishments; a devoted human being who changed lives, made people feel valued, and above all, a man who’s influence and infectious energy will endure generations because his impacts live on in the friendships and community he cultivated.
Let’s all live a little more like Roger; be more than just what we do and leave each day a little brighter just by being grateful to be a part of it.
