William A. Popovich, 82, of Montdale, died Wednesday at the Hospice Unit of Community Medical Center. He is survived by his beloved wife, the former Marie Lucas. They celebrated 59 years of marriage in September.
Born in Montdale, he was the son of the late Michael and Anna Gnall Popovich. William was a graduate of Scott High School, class of 1946, where he was an outstanding student and athlete. He was class valedictorian, class president and president of Future Farmers of America, Scott Twp. Lions Club and various community organizations.
A prominent businessman, William was the proud owner of Montdale Farm Dairy, where he began a wonderful homemade ice cream business.
He was a member of St. John Vianney Parish, formerly Corpus Christi Church, Montdale.
William served on many local conservation and agricultural boards. He participated for more than 25 years as a director with the Lackawanna County Conservation District, and he also served for 21 years as a county committee member for the Farm Service agency, a sister agency known as a cost-saving program that distributes funds to farmers in need. Along with his dedicated public service, Bill also applied soil-conservation principles on his Montdale farm. Bill was one of the first farmers in the area to incorporate no-till planting methods for corn.
His love for everything in nature was evident by his immaculate farm and dairy. He had great concern for using the Earth's resources wisely. Bill was a well-respected and very knowledgeable pocket watch and coin collector. He enjoyed many auctions, hunting and fishing trips in his earlier years. He traveled extensively to Australia, New Zealand, Anacosta and Canada.
He will be remembered for his love, respect and extreme generosity to everyone. Bill was known for his wisdom, fortitude and marvelous intelligence.
He felt a deep responsibility to his loving wife, children and family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He especially enjoyed his beautiful grandsons and was very proud of Bill, Mitchell and Marshall.
Bill was especially fond of his family dog, Meicha.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Michael Kondash, Hershey Medical Center, Mountain View nursing staff, CMC nurses and VNA Hospice unit for the excellent care Bill received.
Also surviving are a daughter, Karen Popovich O'Connor, Montdale; a son, Raymond Popovich and wife, Michele, Montdale; three grandsons, Bill O'Connor, Arizona; and Mitchell and Marshall Popovich, both of Montdale; seven sisters, Mary Gnall, Delaware; Ann Gnall, Taylor; Pauline Wiorkowski, Justus; Margaret York and husband, Joseph, Peckville; Helen Cordelli and husband, Peter, Peckville; Dr. Irene Hassett, Arizona; and Theresa Rolka and husband, John, Montdale; several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his very dear son, William "Billy" Jr.; three brothers, Anthony and Michael Popovich and Raymond Kryzanowski; and two sisters, Pauline Choberka and Josephine Cavalieri.
The funeral will be Monday from the Michael Glinsky Funeral Home, 129 Grant St., Olyphant, with Mass at 10 a.m. in Corpus Christi Church, Montdale. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery, Blakely.
Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. All those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or to the Children with Cancer program.