Joseph P. Dopko

     Mr. Joseph P. Dopko, 81, a resident of Wilkes-Barre's North End neighborhood, passed into Eternal Life unexpectedly the evening of Monday, January 29th at his residence.

     Born on Wednesday, August 26, 1942 in Wilkes-Barre, he was one of two sons to the late Edward and Adele (Styklunas) Dopko.

     Educated in the city schools, he was a 1960 graduate of the former Grand Army of the Republic High School, Wilkes-Barre, and was raised in the Catholic faith.

     Until his retirement, Mr. Dopko was employed for several years as a textile weaver for the former Leslie Fay Company of Wilkes-Barre.  Previously, he served as a physical therapist while residing in Florida and also assisted his father Edward in the family's painting business formerly located in greater Philadelphia.

     In his spare time and loving the outdoors, Mr. Dopko took pride in growing and cultivating his many seasonal gardens over the years. He started tomato plants from seeds indoors and usually had 6-foot-high healthy tomato plants by summer’s end. His homemade pasta sauce from tomatoes he grew was delicious.

     Mr. Dopko loved the ocean and, in his youth, took his family to Maine for vacations. A lover of water overall, he also loved to fish at lakes on a rowboat and streams at shoreline. He had a seasonal camp on the lake close to his brother, Ed’s camp; where a lot of time was enjoyed between them and other family members.

     He also loved dogs and cared for several over his lifetime. His most recent dog-children over the past few decades were Lucky, Kodiac, and Lassie. He will also be missed by his grand-dogs; Sasha, Samson, Serena, Piper (aka the Sniper), and Skye who are Lisa and Andrew’s dogs.

     He is fondly remembered as being a loving and devoted husband and father who placed his family at the center of his life. His daughter Lisa’s favorite phrase he would say to her is “You can do anything you set your heart and mind to”.

     He enjoyed going out to eat with his daughter Lisa and son-in-law Andrew. His favorite places were Red Lobster and Norm’s Pizza.

     Joseph was preceded in death by his beloved wife, the former Paulette D. (Krawec) Dopko on July 21st, 2001. They are soul mates. At the time of Mrs. Dopko's untimely passing, the couple shared thirty-six years of married life together.

     Also preceding him were his mother-in-law Ethel Krawec; brother, Mr. Edward Dopko Jr. and his wife Ruth Ann Dopko.

     Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Mrs. Lisa Josephine Bogner and her husband Andrew of Westbrook, Maine; his sister-in-law, Mrs. Elaine Klukoske and her husband William of the Brookside section of North Wilkes-Barre; Nephew, Michael Dopko and his wife Renee McGuire Dopko and their 4 boys; Niece, Michelle Zolkos and her husband Pete; Several neighbors and dear friends.

     Per his previous request, funeral services for Mr. Dopko will be held privately and at the convenience of his family with no formal visitation.

     Interment with prayers of committal will be next to his wife in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, PA Route 115, Bear Creek Township.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc. of Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for Mr. Dopko and his family at this time.

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