Dr. John G. Popowich

Popowich, Dr. John age 83, of Naples, FL and Eden Prairie, MN passed peacefully at home surrounded by family February 17, 2016 after a short illness with melanoma. Raised in St. Clair, the coal mine region of eastern PA, Jack helped his parents run their ma and pa grocery store. In high school, he played baseball, delivered groceries and danced with the girls. Graduated Ursinus College in PA '58. Class President Jack married Class Secretary Joan Higgins and celebrated their golden anniversary. This Ursinus "most distinguished" athlete played shortstop. After college, he turned down the opportunity to play professional baseball to attend Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia PA. Baseball remained his passion. He trained at Hartford Hospital for his pathology residency. Drafted into the US Army Medical Corps, Major Popowich served at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver. In Minneapolis, Jack practiced surgical pathology at St. Barnabas Hospital and Metropolitan Medical Center serving as Medical Director. Principal of Lufkin Medical Laboratories for 18 years, he sold to Smith Kline in '86. Founder of Three Rivers Pathology. He volunteered at Hennepin County Medical Society, now Twin Cities Medical Society. An avid Apple computer fan, Jack was a frequent visitor to the Genius Bar. He scored a hole-in-one at the Broadmoor and twice won the Stonebridge Country Club Championship. His family loved trips to the Jersey Shore, mountains, dude ranches, cruises, and Europe. Annual boat trips down the Mississippi, fishing trips to Canada, and bocce ball tournaments with friends were the best. Jack loved music and dancing. On a cruise in Bordeaux France he danced with The Fabulous Fourteen, delighting these women. Preceded in death by wife Joan and parents John E. and Susan H. Popowich. Survived by wife Ginny Orth, children Janice (Washington DC) Jack (Bend OR) Tom (Portland OR) Diane (Dallas TX) and Carol (Dan) McNairy (Bend OR); grandchildren Steph, Finnegan, Henry, Harper, Max; brother Bob (Janet) Popowich (Naples FL) and sister Mildred Lazo (Doyleston PA); nieces, nephews, and Ginny's family-Orths, Thompsons and McLeans. Memorial Mass 11 AM on Monday, Feb. 22nd, 2016 at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Lunch to follow. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday Feb. 23rd, 2016 at 10 AM. Memorials preferred to Twin Cities Medical Society Foundation, 1300 Godward St. NE, Suite 2000, Minneapolis, MN 55413. metrodocs.com Washburn-McReavy.com Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400

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Dr. John G. Popowich

February 17, 2016

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