Richard "Dick" T. Popchak

Richard T. “Dick” Popchak, 86, Brownstown, passed into eternal rest on February 17, 2023. Born August 22, 1936, in Johnstown, son of John R. Sr. and Catherine (Milchak) Popchak. 

Preceded in death by parents, infant sister Rosemary, and brothers John Jr., Bernard, and James. Survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy (Koontz) Popchak and children: Cindy, wife of Paul Vizza, Oak Hill, VA.; Christine, widow of David Dwulit, St. Simons Island, GA; Richard Popchak, Santa Cruz, CA; Carol, wife of Fred Stuart, Oak Hill, VA; and Connie, wife of John Arduser, St. Petersburg, FL. He is also survived by grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, and Paul Vizza, Jr.; Gabrielle and Alexandra Stuart, Jack Arduser, and great-grandson Jack Vizza. He also is survived by beloved siblings Mary Kay Olshewsky, widow of Frank Olshewsky, Raymond Popchak, widower of Sharon (Mikesic), and Thomas Popchak and wife Donna (DeBartola-DeMarco), and sisters-in-law Margaret (Martinko) Popchak, Linda (McCreary) Popchak, and Kathy (LaPorte) Popchak, all of Johnstown. He is fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Dick was retired from Bethlehem Steel Corp., where he excelled as a welder and was known by his signature “ND” welds to honor his love for Notre Dame football. He was a longtime community leader and advocate for youth engagement in sports. The Ferndale Area High School graduate dedicated more than 25 years as a parochial league football and basketball coach at St. Michael School in Brownstown and at Our Mother of Sorrows School in Westmont. In addition to his fun-loving personality, he may be most remembered for his tireless efforts to lead the annual Thanksgiving weekend pee-wee basketball tournament in Brownstown for local parochial middle school participants and benefitted St. Michael Church.  An avid golfer, Dick was a long-time member and officer of the Brownstown Golf Association. He was also a lifetime member of the Brownstown Fire Company 
and St. Michael Catholic Church. 

Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, at Frank Duca Funeral Home, Westmont Chapel, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Johnstown PA 15905. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Very Rev. Mark Begly. Committal, Grandview Cemetery. 

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