John Russell Stopa

FUNERAL HOME

Schoedinger Worthington

6699 North High Street

Worthington, Ohio

John Stopa Obituary

Name: Memorial service for John Russell Stopa
Start: 2017-07-11T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Schoedinger Worthington

Stopa John Russell Stopa, age 64, died on July 7, 2017 as a result of cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife, Carol Davis Stopa of Columbus; his daughter, Kate (David) Tull of Columbus; his son, Dr. Jack Stopa (Melissa Shakro) of Cambridge, MA; grandson, Thomas Tull of Columbus; and brother, James Stopa of Somers, CT. John's youngest child Emily Ann Stopa died on October 2, 2016 at the age of 28. John grew up in Somers, CT and held degrees from both Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1974) and Boston University School of Law (1978). Carol was the love of John's life and best friend. They celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary on March 22, 2017, and were to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the day they met on July 29, 2017. John was a United States Chess Federation Life Master, and over his more than 40 year chess career was named New England Champion, Massachusetts State Champion, New York State Champion, and Ohio Co-Champion. John dedicated countless hours to volunteering for the Ohio Democratic Party. John loved being a dad, cheering on the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants, chess, cats, classic rock, playing with his grandson, planning vacations all over the country, and yelling at politicians on TV. John was a selfless and generous husband, father, and friend and will be fondly remembered for his warmth, wit, and kind heart. John elected to be an organ donor and so is continuing to help others. A memorial service will be held at SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL HOME, 6699 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio on Tuesday, July 11 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to the Ohio Democratic Party (www.ohiodems.org) or Lifeline of Ohio (www.lifelineofohio.org). Please view our online guestbook at www.Schoedinger.com.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jul. 8 to Jul. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Stopa

12 Entries

Kaaren Montgomer

April 16, 2018

John and I are sadden by the news of the passing of your husband and sweet Emily. We will keep you, Kate and Jack in our prayers.

October 7, 2017

Dear Carol -- So sorry to hear about John's passing.... It has been a long time since we've seen each other, but I send you big hugs across the miles. As I believe Allan said, we have in our 2nd floor hallway a framed water-color, chess-themed, wedding card you made for us, in 1981. If you're ever in the Washington DC area, please let us know. Lots of love, Donna R. Savage, Kensington, Maryland

Allan Savage

October 6, 2017

I was very saddened to hear of John's passing. I became good friends with John during his college years and a few years after, while we were on rival college chess teams. During those years we participated in many of the same chess tournaments in New England and analyzed games together. Since then I lost touch with him but thought of him often. We still have a special wedding card, framed on our wall, that Carol created.

David Friedman

August 25, 2017

I had the privilege of playing five USCF rated games versus John. He was a strong player and a gentleman who always took time to analyze with me after our games. I recall him walking around tournaments recording the opening moves on the top boards. I got the sense that he was booking up on the competition, which is very smart. Rest in peace and my condolences to his family.

Karen Trein

July 11, 2017

Carol and family, so sorry to hear of John's passing, my heart goes out to all of you.

Susan Hall

July 10, 2017

Dear Carol and family,

We are shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. John grew up across the street from us in Somers; the Stopa family was an intergral part of our lives, both my parents' and us kids'. I will remember John for his intelligence, his wit and his ready smile. Our thoughts are with you and family at this difficult time.

With love, Susan Haight Hall, on behalf of all the Haights

Greg Bickford

July 10, 2017

Stopa family- I knew John being a close friend of his brother Jim. John seemed to always have a chuckle about him- a smile & a pleasing sense of humour. Though a few yrs older he always remembered me as one of Jim's friends when I had the chance meeting John on a return trip to Somers from Ohio. A thing I was forever amazed at was the retold occurrence of how John had defeated an opponent playing chess while blindfolded! We shared loves of the Red Sox & Giants.Always left me with a warm feeling after talking to John.So sorry for your loss. Thanks for the memories John. Greg Bickford

Ginni May

July 9, 2017

I had the honor of working with John. He would always talk about his amazing family and when he did he would have the biggest smile. John you will be missed by many and you have touched more life's than you may have known. Prayers to the Stopa family.

Connie & Walt Kobalka

July 9, 2017

John was very generous with his time, supporting young chess players like our son, Andrew. He will be missed.

Mike Hatch

July 9, 2017

It is truly heartbreaking to lose our good friend and team member. John brought light into our world, wisdom to deal with our challenges, and joy to lift us up. John, you will be missed, and never forgotten.
- Mike Hatch

July 9, 2017

My memories of John are mostly from our Somers High School days. His folks having the station wagon with that rear facing back seat gave us (Mark, Sarah, "Goober", Patti and I) the transportation to play at Masquamicut Beach in RI many summers. Those were the days...when baby oil was our sunscreen and crispy would describe our end-of-day skin.

Being a kid from the blue collar Somersville side of town, John and his family provided role models and the confidence for me to go on to college and major in the sciences (unusual for a woman back in the day). He made being smart cool. Chess success was but one way. His ability to articulate his political position another. But it was his keen sense of humor that I will remember. I met up with John when he was visiting his adult son Jack for lunch in Boston a few years ago while I was visiting my daughter Emily. Watching that smart banter between the two of them warmed my heart (as we pondered the anomaly of Jack's height).

We kept in touch through emails, class reunions, and Facebook. His spirit, humor, intelligence and absolute love for Carol and his family will stay forever in my heart. I am shocked by his passing and will remember him in my heart as a good friend.

With deep sympathy,
Marilee Barszcz Noonan

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