Michael J. Kopnitsky Jr., 79, of DuBois died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at Christ the King Manor. Born March 1, 1933 in Helvetia, he was the son of the late Michael J. and Kathryn (Yeafol) Kopnitsky Sr.
On Nov. 25, 1953, he married Mary “Mimi” (Schimizzi) Kopnitsky. She survives.
He retired after 29 years of service with the Red Bank Valley High School in New Bethlehem, as an advance mathematics teacher. He had coached basketball at Red Bank Valley and was the instructor of the Red Bank Valley High School Rod and Gun Club. Prior to teaching at Red Bank, he taught two years for the Cameron County School District.
He was a graduate of the Sykesville High School in the class of 1951, the Clarion State Teachers College in 1955, and earned his Master’s degree in mathematics from Clarion University in 1972.
He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church and was a saxophone player in many local polka bands and the American Legion Concert Orchestra. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed boating and traveling. He was also a past member of the Eagles Club in Sykesville, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in DuBois, and the Moose Club in Clarion.
He is survived by his two sons, Michael J. Kopnitsky II and his wife, Anne of Fairmount City and Mark J. Kopnitsky and his wife, Mary Ellen of Lenhartsville; three grandchildren, Michael J. Kopnitsky III and Christina and Kathryn Kopnitsky; and a great-grandchild, Connor Kopnitsky.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday at Goble-Baronick Funeral Home.
A scriptural wake service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at the St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church with Msgr. Richard Siefer as celebrant.
Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Sykesville.
Memorials may be placed with the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to www.gbfuneralhome.com.