Russell Valentine Sopko

Russell Valentine Sopko, of Seven Hills, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his family at his side.

Beloved husband of Carolyn (nee Bubnick) for 57 yrs.; loving father of Ranee O’Malley (John) and Jason (Amanda); dearest brother of Mary Jo Macy (deceased) (Mike, surviving), grandfather of Kate, Jack, Jake, and Lainey.

Russell was a dedicated volunteer and minister of the faith to many over the years. His efforts spanned nearly fifty years (1970 – 2016) of service as a faithful parishioner, Eucharistic Minister, and educator.

Russell taught for 30 years in the Cleveland Public School System. He taught grades 4 - 6 at Tremont Elementary.

As a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Russell was a Eucharistic Minister and was committed to bringing the Eucharist to elderly and sick parishioners in their homes for ten years during the 1970s. He also taught PSR to children at St. Anthony's School.

Russell continued his commitment to the sick and infirmed by visiting fellow parishioners of St. Matthias Church at Parma Hospital as well as bringing the Eucharist to Catholic patients at Metro South Hospital for two years in the early 2000s. He also made many hospital visits to members of the clergy over the years.

Russell was also committed to children. He volunteered teaching Music and Literature appreciation to 6th grade students at St. Anthony of Padua school for twelve years. He also volunteered at Metro Health Hospital for twenty years in the Pediatrics ward where he enjoyed entertaining children with pundles, card tricks, and stories.

Family will receive friends at the Mallchok Funeral Home, 5660 Ridge Road, Parma, OH Friday, March 3, 2023 from 4 – 8 p.m.

Prayer Services Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the funeral home at 8:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church, 1200 West Sprague Road, Parma, OH 44134 at 9 a.m.

Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Holy Family Hospice, 6707 State Road, Parma, OH 44134.

Blessing with Holy Water from the Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre:  

May Our Lord, by the interception of Saint Anne de Beaupre, heal you in mind, body and spirit. (Above all, obtain for me the grace one day to behold my God face to face and with thee, Mary, St. Joseph, and all the Saints praise and bless Him through all eternity.) Amen

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