Michael O'Pake

Senator Michael A. O'Pake, Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, in Reading Hospital and Medical Center. He was 70.

Born in Reading on Feb. 2, 1940, he was a son of the late Michael E. and Anna (Maslar) O'Pake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Patrick.

Senator O'Pake was a 1957 graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School, where he won the 1956 national Optimist International oratory contest. He graduated summa cum laude from St. Joseph's University in 1961 before going on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1964, where he received the Keedy Cup for best appellate advocacy. He was a member of the Berks County Bar Association and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court as well as state courts in Pennsylvania.

At his death, Senator O'Pake was the longest-serving member in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Following two terms in the state House, he was first elected to the state Senate in 1972 and was overwhelmingly re-elected to the Senate nine times.

Senator O'Pake noted in November, on being awarded the prestigious Shield of Loyola award at St. Joseph's, that his legislative career was guided by Jesuit precepts of service to others. "I hope tonight and tomorrow, when we all look back, we can answer this question in the affirmative," he said, "Has my life made a difference for good in the lives of others?"

Raised in the Glenside public housing project, Senator O'Pake was motivated by the challenges created by the poverty that he witnessed from an early age. Despite his later accomplishments, he continued to live in the Glenside neighborhood throughout his life.

After working as a law clerk for the Pennsylvania Superior Court following law school, O'Pake followed in a political path that he said was inspired by the late President John F. Kennedy. He won his first election in 1968, after challenging the incumbent state representative by going door to door on foot throughout his district. His only election loss came in a tight 1980 race during the first campaign to elect a state attorney general.

During a distinguished legislative career that spanned five decades, Senator O'Pake focused especially on serving the needs of children and families, the elderly and the disabled, and was the author or a principal role-player in the passage and enactment of numerous significant laws that have shaped Pennsylvania in recent decades, including the establishment of the Department of Aging, the adoption of No-Fault divorce, passage of the Children's Protective Services law and Protection from Abuse Act, creation of a property tax and rent rebate for seniors and the disabled and the establishment of the state's landmark Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

He was unswerving in his desire to help people no matter the difficulty of the issues they confronted or the problems they faced, and was especially dedicated to recognizing the special and everyday accomplishments of 11th Senatorial District residents, tirelessly appearing at as many events, large or small, as his schedule could handle.

A public viewing will take place at St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, 925 Centre Ave., Reading, on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, from 3 to 8 p.m. and again on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of the senator may be sent to St. Margaret School Scholarship Fund at 925 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601-2104.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.