The son of a large farmer, Pranas Kupris, went to America at a young age and lived there for 7 years. While living in America, he not only learned about life, but also broadened his horizons. At his mother's request, he returned to Lithuania and started a family. Antanas married Ieva, the daughter of wealthy farmers Vaučeskas, and they raised five children - Ona, Petras, Antanas, Juozas and Jonas. They lived in the village of Vaitkabali, Vilkaviškis district.

In 1944, at the request of priest Vytas Baltutis, the Kurpaitis family took in four people of Jewish origin, three of whom were children at the time - Miriam, Iser, Masha and Esther Gail for six months. The Kurpaitis family hid and cared for these people for six months until the area was occupied by the Soviets in October 1944.