PORTLAND — John Oleh Chopak, 86, of Portland, formerly of Pennsylvania, died Oct. 5 at Maine Medical Center surrounded by family.

Born on Sept. 20, 1923, in Canonsburg, Pa., a son of John O. Chopak and Pearl Doroszovak, he attended local schools and went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in chemical engineering.

During World War II, he served in the Pacific with the U.S. Navy.

Over the years, he worked for several engineering firms in Pittsburgh before opening his own civil engineering business.

He was very active and served in leadership roles in multiple Shrine lodges and the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.

He was awarded a public service award for his wide range of volunteer activities and was also recognized for helping families visit their children at the Springfield Orthopedic Center.

His hobbies included collecting coins, crossword puzzles and long walks. He especially enjoyed writing poetry and wrote hundreds of poems that he published for his family.

Survivors include his former wife, Martha Ayers of Brentwood, Pa.; two children, Jane L. Kazen and her husband Louis of Westport, Mass., and Charles John Chopak of Bethesda, Md.; three grandchildren, Jessica Sweet Gibb of New Bedford, Mass., Julia Ayers Gibb of Westport, Mass., and Jesse Chopak of Bethesda, Md; and one great-grandchild, Jacob Ayers Maxwell of Westport, Mass.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at Gary’s House, 97 State St., Portland.

Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

Memorial donations can be made to Shriner Orthopaedic Hospital, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104-2396 or to Gary’s House, 97 State St. Portland, ME 04101.

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