Irina Alexeevna Gainacopulos, age 61, of Oshkosh, died June 29, 2012, at home after a yearlong battle with cancer of the Parotid gland. Irina was born on August 18, 1950, in Riga, Latvia (USSR) living most of her life in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her father was Alexey Alexandrovich Egorov, her mother was Klavdia Vasilyevna Egorov, both preceding her in death. She immigrated to the United States in 2002, and married Kay "Gus" Gainacopulos in Oshkosh, on August 30, 2002. After Irina arrived in Oshkosh she attended Fox Valley Technical College-Oshkosh campus where she studied English as a Second Language and earned her certification as a Phlebotomist. She worked as a Phlebotomist in the Medical Unit of the Oshkosh Correctional Institution for five years. She loved her work as a phlebotomist and her educational experiences at Fox Valley Technical College-Oshkosh. She became a US Citizen on September 27, 2006. Prior to coming to the United States, Irina graduated from the Bonch-Bruevich University of Telecommunications in St. Petersburg. After graduation Irina, owned and managed a 24 hour grocery store in St. Petersburg. She was an avid reader of Russian novels and enjoyed her yearly trips to Russia visiting her family and living at her summer home in the country. Irina's favorite hobbies included making jewelry, painting, and making children's clothing.
Irina, is survived by her husband, Kay (Gus), her daughter Masha (Vadim) Kapinsky, St. Petersburg, Russia, her step children; Mimika Gainacopulos, and Nikos Gainacopulos both of Milwaukee. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Matilda and Maximilian who reside in St. Petersburg, Russia. A special appreciation goes to her best friend from Russia, Alila Voronova, who visited with Irina during her final month. Irina will be sadly missed by those that knew her.
The family would like to thank the staff at the UW Madison Carbone Cancer Center, and Affinity Hospice in Oshkosh, especially Susan, and her family physician, Dr. Rocke. At her request there will be no formal services, the immediate family and close friends will gather for a reception to be announced at a later date. For those wishing to contribute to a memorial fund, please direct those contributions to the Carbone Cancer Research Center, in care of, Fox Cities Funeral & Cremation Services, 3026 Jackson St. Oshkosh, WI. 54901.