Robert D. Sopko Obituary
Robert Denis Sopko, 86 of Neshannock Township passed away on June, 26, 2024 surrounded by his family after a year-long battle with bile duct cancer.
Robert, "Bob" was born on Sept 7, 1937 to Margaret VanKulick Sopko Evans and George Sopko in Youngstown, OH and graduated from Chaney High School. He then went on to become an expert rifleman in the United States Army and to attend El Camino College, Youngstown State University, and The Bell and Howell Institute of Technology, majoring in electronics and mechanical engineering.
Bob retired from American Welding and Manufacturing and then worked part-time in the Media Department at Austintown-Fitch High School. He was high-tech savvy and an expert at digital photography and videography.
He leaves behind a loving wife, Marda Sebastian Sopko, whom he married in 1963 and their three children: Roberta (Bryan) Daniel of Hollister, CA, Michael (Kelly Palumbo) of Neshannock Township, PA and Stephanie (Dale) Merritt of Cranberry Township, PA as well as seven grandchildren: Drew Daniel, Megan Daniel Hoang, Jeremy Trott, Cole Daniel, Kassandra Sopko, Michael Sopko, and Matthew Sopko as well as three great grandchildren: Penelope and Sage Hoang, and Jane Daniel.
Bob was a founding member of St. Joseph's Church in Austintown, OH where he actively participated as a choir member, reader, and Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the St. Joseph's Men's Club and the New Middletown, OH Chapter of Knights of Columbus.
Bob was an avid sports fan. He loved cheering on the OSU Buckeyes and all the Cleveland professional sports teams. He was a youth baseball coach and never missed a baseball, basketball, softball game or tennis match when his children and later his grandchildren were playing.
Up until his illness, Bob had an enviable zest for life. He fiercely loved his family and friends and enjoyed traveling, rollerblading, cooking, gardening, water and snow skiing, and playing tennis. He loved a good bargain and foraging for treasures at garage sales and on-line. He sang with the Youngstown Symphony Choir and Shenango Valley Singers.
During the last few years, he enjoyed meeting up with his friends at the Y-Zone in Neshannock Township and especially enjoyed playing pickleball.
A calling hour will be held at Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road on Monday, July 1 from 9:00-10:00 AM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Mary's Church in New Castle. Father Aaron Kriss will officiate.
