Chester J. "Pinky" Sopinski, 91, of Scranton, died peacefully at home Monday surrounded by his family. His wife of 66 years is the former Joan Lowry.
Born July 22, 1930, in Scranton, he was a son of the late Boleslaw and Constance Lewonczyk Sopinski. He was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church until its closing, and later St. Paul of the Cross Parish at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, where he was an altar server in his youth.
Pinky was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, where he met Joan, and he often said she was the best thing that ever happened to him. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Pinky worked at Mercy Hospital and Tobyhanna Army Depot until his retirement, and worked well into retirement at the University of Scranton Library, where he enjoyed the energy and camaraderie of the students.
Pinky was very generous with his time, talents and tools, often lending a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors alike. He cultivated an ever-expanding vegetable garden in retirement and enjoyed fishing at Lake Henry and trips to Jitty Joe's with his grandchildren. Pinky was very supportive and never missed an opportunity to attend a school function or sporting event for any of his children or grandchildren. Pinky touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was a truly good man.
He is also survived by four children, Patricia Lewis and husband, David; JoAnn Jackowitz and husband, Paul; Michael Sopinski and wife, Carol; and Mary Ellen Sopinski; 10 grandchildren, Allison Bakow and husband, Adam; David Lewis and wife, Claire; Brian Lewis and wife, Kelly; Kevin Lewis and wife, Nicole; Daniel Jackowitz; Andrew Jackowitz; Lisa Jackowitz and fiancé, Joseph Baurys; Adrienne Sopinski and husband, Dave Seeley; Michael Sopinski Jr. and wife, Liz; and Jeffrey Sopinski and wife, Jamie; three great-grandchildren, Sophia Lewis, Ceci Sopinski and Emilia Sopinski; a sister, Mary Milewski; sister-in-law, Elsie Sopinski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three grandchildren, Stephanie Lewis Turetsky, and infants Philip and Nicholas Jackowitz; and five siblings, Edward Sopinski, Sister M. Fidelia (Florence) Sopinski, Stella Znosky, and Joseph and John Gawelko.
The funeral will be Saturday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 1217 Prospect Ave., celebrated by Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, pastor. Interment, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery. vFriends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. Masks will be required. The family requests that those attending the Mass on Saturday please proceed directly to the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th floor, New York, NY 10004 or online at JDRF.org. To email condolences, visit the funeral home website.