STEPHEN J. SOPKIA, M.D.

Stephen Joseph Sopkia, M.D. of Montclair and Mattituck, NY died on Thursday, November 24, 2016, peacefully at home after a long illness. He was 91 years old.

He was born on October 9, 1925 an only child of Steve and Mary Sopkia (nee Lepa) in Scranton, PA.

An honor student, he graduated from Scranton Central High School after serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944-1946. Like many of his male classmates he enlisted at the age of 17 while still a senior. He served as a signalman on the U.S.S. Menard, a transport ship that took occupation troops and supplies to battle sites in the Pacific. Nine days of this assignment were spent at The Battle of Okinawa, April 1 to April 9, 1945.

Stephen received a BS at Scranton University, a MS in Physiology at George Washington University, and a MD at New York Medical College. He did a rotating internship at The Mountainside Hospital 1959-1960 and an Anesthesiology Residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center 1960-1962. He practiced Anesthesiology at The Mountainside Hospital from 1962-1991 having served a rotation as the Director of the department. He was a Fellow of the American College of Anesthesiology and a Diplomat of The American Board of Anesthesiologists.

His professional memberships included The American Society of Anesthesiologists, The NJ Society of Anesthesiologists, Essex County Medical Society, NJ State Medical Society and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Stephen is survived by his wife of 59 years Marilyn Sopkia (nee Payne, RN) and by his four children: Nadine Fritz and her husband Roger, Linda Sopkia, Steven Sopkia and Elaine Somerville, and John and Jaya (Miceli) Sopkia and grandson, Jarvis Stephen Sopkia. His cousin, Very Reverend Michael Lepa Jr. of Scranton, PA, also survives him.

When in Montclair Stephen attended Immaculate Conception Church and served as an usher after his retirement. He was an Essex County Republican Committeeman for many years and a longtime member of The Montclair Republican Club, Overseas Neighbors, Dunworkin Club, and Essex County Wine Society and had been a member of the Montclair Golf Club for over forty years.

He loved opera, skiing, and travel, was a hobby private pilot for twenty-five years, and was an avid model railroader.

His family is grateful to NJ Hospice (Bloomfield Branch) for being responsible for his peaceful passing.

Funeral arrangements are by Caggiano Memorial Home, 62 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ. A private burial and service will be held on the North Fork of Long Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army, 13 Trinity Place, Montclair, NJ 07042.

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