Thomas J. Poponea

Thomas Poponea of Auburn Hills died suddenly August 1, 2022. He was 83 years old. Tom was born March 28, 1939 to Paraschiva and Toma Poponea.
Tom was a proud graduate of Pontiac High School and loved to look at his old yearbook and tell stories of when he played football. After high school he went on to graduate from Central Michigan University. Tom worked briefly at North American Aviation, GM and Heinz but ultimately was an entrepreneur. He owned Poponea's Food & Drugs with his brothers as well as Plaza Check Cashing in Pontiac for several years. After becoming legally blind, he was blessed to be able to "work" with his best friend Herb for many years or at least keep him company on the job.
In his younger years, Tom enjoyed going to Detroit Lions and Pistons games and had season tickets for many years. He loved reading a hard copy of the newspaper with his coffee every morning, doing crossword puzzles and playing the lotto. Tom was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He absolutely loved to sit and talk with people, tell old stories and laugh right up until the end. Tom always loved spending time with his family and was a very proud Father and Papou.
Tom was a loving husband to the late Rena Poponea, a cherished father to Paul Pantel, Patrick (Cayce) Poponea, Elena (Peter) Anstasiou and Nicole Heppner, a loving Papou to Jessica (Dan), Cody, Demi, Evan, Drew, Nadia, Rena and Jake and Great Grandfather to Wednesday Lane. He is survived by his brother Mike (Lisa) Poponea as well as many nieces and nephews and preceded in death by his brothers Ilie (Helen) Hentes, John (Debbie) Poponea and Philip (Manuela) Poponea.
Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road (between 14-15 Mile Rds.) Sunday, August 7th, 2-6pm with Trisagion at 5:30pm. Funeral Service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 43816 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills, Monday, August 8th at 11am. Burial will be in Ottawa Park Cemetery, Clarkston.
Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.