John C. Popa Sr., 85

John Popa Sr., husband, father and friend, was collected by angels July 21, 2010, to rest peacefully in his new heavenly home. John was born Dec. 6, 1924, to Romanian immigrants Anna and Vasilie Popa, in Campbell, Ohio. As a young man, he loved to play baseball and go to Romanian dances; and in later life, even danced to the live music of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. John graduated from high school at age 16, and attended Youngstown State University for two years. He then joined the U.S. Merchant Marines and had seven tours around the world. On June 12, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Lucretia Lucy Budak, in Ohio. They celebrated 61 years of marriage in June 2010. John and Lucy have four children, Laura, Annette, Joanne and John Jr. In John s work career he worked for Youngstown Sheet and Tube Steel Mill, the Singer Sing Machine Company, and lastly, after moving to Montana, worked from 1955 until retirement for the Anaconda Aluminum Company/ARCO. John was an active community member in Columbia Falls as a City Council representative from 1971 to 1973; and seven years as president of Pee Wee Baseball in the late 1950s and early 60s. John was a golfer and an avid bowler. He bowled for years on local leagues and boasted a 185 average. John was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles. You could not miss his support for the MSU Bobcats, as he sported a Bobcat hat on his outings with Lucy to the Backroom and the Nite Owl Cafe, their favorite eat-out locations. Thanks to the staff at these locations for making their regular dining table away from home feel like home! The family would especially like to thank John and Lucy s care givers, their second family, Jeanne and Dennis Howard; Ginger Owens; Nancy Meyers; and Rich Downen for their endless tender loving care. John outlived all of his family members and was preceded in death by his sister, MaryAnn Dobrich, and his parents. John is survived by his wife, Lucy; his daughter, Laura, and Bill Bishop, and their children, Anna and John Bishop; his daughter, Annette, and Bob Bjelland, and their daughters, Elissa and Jon Oman, and Kari Bjelland; his daughter, Joanne, and Tom Lindlof, and their daughters, Shea Popa-Wood, and Joanna and Bryan Pearson; and his son, John, and Jan Popa, and their sons, Matt and Drew Popa. You left us with great memories, admiration for your ever-sharp thinking and quick wit, and a warm place in our hearts where we will always find you. We know you are the angel with a gin martini and lobster dinner celebrating a good life! A funeral service for John will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with a private family graveside interment to occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests, in Mom s honor, a donation to the Alzheimer s Association.