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John Ropke Obituary
Died Sunday morning, June 7, 2009, at UPMC - Mercy Hospital. He was born on January 10, 1945, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late John C. and Elaine (Urchak) Ropke. He attended St. Basil's Seminary in Stamford, CT, the State University of New York and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, and then earned MA and PhD at Liberty University. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1978 in Stamford, CT, and served congregations in the Greater Pgh area: Arnold, Ford City and McKees Rocks. At the time of his death, he was serving at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, S. 7th St. and Carson St., where visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 9, from 1pm until 4pm and from 7pm-9pm. Parastas for a deceased priest will be chanted at 8:15pm Tuesday evening. The wake will resume at 8am Wednesday morning, and conclude with the Divine Liturgy at 11am. Canon Ropke will be interred with private rites in his family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY. He is survived by a brother, Richard Ropke, of Florida and relatives in Cleveland and Ukraine. Arrangements are being handled by the THOMAS P. KUNSAK FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3552 California Ave. at Davis Ave., Pgh, PA 15212.
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4 Entries
Ronald Adamiak Family
March 30, 2021
Fr. John was one of the best priest that I ever knew. What a good soul! Heaven will be a better place with him there. God bless you Father, you will be missed
Joseph Shook
June 10, 2009
I will miss Father John, I became friends with him about one year ago. He helped me and many others upon request. I feel fortunate to have known him.
Joe Kulik
June 9, 2009
Anita and I express our deepest sympathy to your family. We welcomed our opportunity to work with "Fr. John", and will miss him.
John & Bernice Bastin
June 8, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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