Together Again Eugene E. "Gene" Popa, 97, of Louisville, passed away Saturday, February 26th, at St. Joseph Care Center. Gene was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 29, 1924, to the late Theodore and Anna (Halmaci) Popa, also preceded in death by wife Anna C. (Caplea) Popa, who died October 31,1985, and sister Amelia Botean. Gene spent his childhood in his ancestral village of Ogra, Mure County, Romania, before returning to the United States in 1939. A member of St. George Romanian Catholic Cathedral of Canton, Eugene served in the United States Navy as a MM2C in WWII and retired from Hercules Engines of Canton where he was employed as a machine operator. He was a 50-year member of the United States Power Squadron of Stark County where he served as commander in 1985. An avid swimmer, he was also a member of the Louisville YMCA for over 30 years. Gene is survived by daughter Denise Ann (David) Reichard, of Getzville, New York; 2 sons Eugene Dennis (Carol) Popa, of North Canton, Tim Scott (Carol) Popa, of Louisville; and 5 granddaughters Jamie (Andrew) Rudnycky, Megan (Jay) Jarmusz, Caitlin (Casey) Hudak, Anna, and Caroline Popa; 3 grandsons Scott, Nicholas, and Matthew Popa; as well as 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Saturday, March 5th in St. George Romanian Catholic Cathedral with Bishop John Michael Botean and Very Rev. Father Ovidiu Marginean officiating. Friends and family may call one hour prior to services. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to St. Joseph Senior Living and Mercy Hospice.

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