William Chopek

CHOPEK
William Jr. "Billy."
Jersey City native and former restaurateur, William Chopek, Jr., known throughout his life as Billy, peacefully entered into eternal life on Monday, February 27th, at the age of 72, after a long battle with lung cancer.
Billy was one of the founders of a neighborhood tavern called The Patch, a longtime favored haunt of many Jersey City locals. He will be remembered with admiration by the many customers and co-workers of the Villa Capri in Jersey City and The Archers in Fort Lee, where he served as a valued and respected employee for many years.
In 1984 he co-founded Romanissimo Ristorante in East Rutherford, which he ran until 2005 when he retired.
At the time of his death, he was a Commissioner of the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority. He was a member of the Hoboken Elks Lodge 74.
One of the proudest achievements of Billy's life was his service in the United States Marine Corps. He, along with 14 neighborhood buddies, famously enlisted in the Corps together which earned them a front page photo and article in the New York Daily News in February, 1957. He served in Okinawa, Japan, achieving the rank of Corporal.
Billy was the devoted and proud father of Christopher W. Chopek, his surviving son, as well as a loving Godfather to Leland D. Polhemus. He is also survived by Christopher and Leland's mother, Carolyn Chopek Polhemus; his dedicated brother, Stephen Chopek; his loving sister, Barbara Pepe; and many nieces and nephews, whom he considered as close as grandchildren.
He was also the affectionate son of Mary and William Chopek and brother of Helen Larkin, all of whom preceded him in death.
Billy was gifted with an astoundingly quick wit and amazing sense of humor. His droll, off-handed quips were legendary.
Above all, Billy will forever be remembered for his exemplary character. A common refrain of those who knew him, was, "Billy always does the right thing." Those in his circle truly felt fortunate to call him a friend. Of particular note are his dear friends, Peter Calabrese and Michael Malloy, who loved him.
Visitation will be held at McLaughlin Funeral Home, 625 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ on Friday, March 2nd, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Family and friends may assemble at the funeral home on Saturday, March 3rd at 9 AM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church in Jersey City, NJ on Saturday, March 3rd at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in his honor to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Visit www.chrischopek.com to donate online.