Martin D. Popky

Retired businessman, civic leader, and senior citizen advocate Martin D. Popky, 79, of Kingston, passed away Sunday, surrounded by his loving family, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, following a lengthy illness.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Abraham and Blanche Frankel Popky, Wilkes-Barre.

He was a graduate of Meyers High School and attended Wilkes University.

Mr. Popky owned and operated Martin D. Popky Agency, Kingston, for over 50 years and previously owned several other small businesses, including Avenue Travel, Kingston, and a bowling alley in Wilkes-Barre.

He was a former president of the Wyoming Valley Independent Insurance Agents, served and chaired the professional agents council for CNA Insurance, and was named to the Pacer Club for Special Agents for CNA.

Lifetime Civic Advocate: In 1951, long before the advent of current programs to help the disabled, Mr. Popky founded the American Blind Bowlers' Association, whose goal was to enrich the lives of the blind by teaching them to bowl.

In the 1960s, he joined a small group of individuals who identified the need for quality affordable housing for low and moderate income elderly.

Working with B'nai B'rith International, he lobbied Congress to develop and build the first project of its kind in the world—the B'nai B'rith Apartments on Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, which has become a model for nearly 40 similar senior citizen housing projects in six countries worldwide.

Mr. Popky served for 35 years as president of the local B'nai B'rith Housing Foundation, as well as treasurer and a board member of GRIT, which owns and operates the Washington Square Apartments, Wilkes-Barre.

In appreciation of his ongoing efforts, in February 2006 the local B'nai B'rith Apartment Building was renamed in his honor.

At that time, Mr. Popky was also honored with citations in the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as both the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a resolution from the Luzerne County Commissioners.

In addition, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas M. Leighton declared Feb. 26, 2006, "Martin D. Popky Day."

Mr. Popky was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Keystone Consistory and the Shrine.

As a member of the local Irem Temple, he chartered the Stewards' Unit, serving as chief steward for more than 20 years, as well as treasurer for Irem.

He spent countless hours raising money to aid crippled and burned children, and was a staple at many Shrine fundraisers, including the annual Shrine Circus and the local Fine Arts Fiesta.

He was president of the Jim Beam Bottle Collectors' Club and treasurer of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Antique Car Club.

A life member of Temple Israel and a member of Ohav Zedek Synagogue, both in Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Popky served as secretary of the board of the Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley and was a member and treasurer of the Interfaith Council of Wyoming Valley.

He served as chairman of the school board of the United Hebrew Institute (UHI), Kingston, for three terms, was chairman of the UHI Board of Trustees, and a life member of the board.

In 1993, he was honored with the Shofar Award, the UHI's most prestigious award for dedication to the school.

He was secretary of the S.J. Strauss Lodge of B'nai B'rith for 13 years and an honorary past president.

In September 2006, he received the Abe Cramer Outstanding Volunteer Award from B'nai B'rith International.

Mr. Popky is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, the former Janet Monsky; daughters, Linda Popky and her husband, Mitchell Finer, Woodside, Calif.; Judy Popky, Atlanta, Ga.; granddaughter, Ilana Finer, Woodside, Calif.; brother, Joseph, New York City; as well as a large extended family of friends and colleagues.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.

Rabbi Larry Kaplan, Rabbi Nachman Bruce and Cantor Ahron Abraham will officiate. Interment will be in Temple Israel Cemetery.

Shiva will be observed Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at 594 Gibson Ave, Kingston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Martin D. Popky Memorial Fund at the United Hebrew Institute, Kingston, Temple Israel, Wilkes-Barre, or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be emailed to info@rosenbergfuneralchapel.com.