Nicholas Chopich Sr.

1931 - 09

Nicholas Chopich Sr., 79, of Greensburg, died Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. Born Sept. 11, 1931, in Irwin, he was a son of the late George and Mildred (Louch) Chopich. Nick was a 1950 graduate of North Huntingdon High School, and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. He taught physical education and health for 36 years at Hempfield Area High School and was a coach for the football, wrestling and baseball teams. He was an Army veteran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Nicholas Chopich Jr.; two brothers, Ted and George Chopich; and an infant sister. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Norma Jean Neri Chopich; his son, Mark Alan Chopich and his wife, Maureen Darcy Chopich, of Pacifica, Calif.; his granddaughter, Haley Elizabeth Chopich, who was the joy of his life; two sisters, Helen Weiss, of Ocala, Fla., and Sophie Ivanoff, of Greensburg; a brother, Mike Chopich and wife, Betty, of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Nicholas from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, 724-837-0020. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with Monsignor Lawrence R. Kiniry officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 707 Grant St., 37th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. To sign online guestbook, view memorial video, order flowers/condolence gifts, or for directions, please visit us at www.pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.