Harvey James Shopsky, 80, of Trauger, peacefully slept away, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005, at his home in Mt. Pleasant Township. He was born Nov. 24, 1925, in Jamison 20 (Pleasant Unity), a son of the late Marie (Loughner) Shopsky and William Shopsky. At age 14, he quit school and went to work at Hutter's Garage in Pleasant Unity after the death of his father. He then returned to school and graduated from Latrobe High School. Harvey served In the U.S. Air Force from June 1944 until November 1945 during World War II. From 1946 until 1950, he worked for a DeSoto dealer as service manager. From 1950-1954, he attended Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Phi fraternity. It was there that he received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. During this time, he worked for a bridge construction company doing maintenance on heavy and light equipment. In 1954, he started his career with Robertshaw Controls Co. in Irwin, where he spent the next 34 years until his retirement. During his tenure at Robertshaw, he was awarded a number of patents on the variety of projects he was assigned. Harvey's favorite hobby over the years was pleasure boating. In the early '50s, he became a member of the Mountain Boat Club. In the late '50s, he joined the Pennsylvania Boating Association, where he served as treasurer which then led into secretary and director for over 25 years. He also was very active in politics, participating in United We Stand America, A.C.T., and the Reform Party. Harvey was also a longstanding member of St. Florian Catholic Church, United. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Rosemary (Cralley) Shopsky; a beloved grandson, Aaron Rose; five baby siblings, Dorothy; twins, Donald and Kenneth, Robert and Earl; and his older sister, Marguerite Loughner. He is survived by his three daughters, Susan Kopcho and husband, Mark, of Mechanicsburg, Cynthia Rose and husband, Louis, of Mt. Pleasant, and Laura Mastrorocco and husband, Vincent, of Blairsville; eight grandchildren, Sara and Ian Kopcho, Emily Rose and Michael, Katelynn, Anthony James Harvey, Anna and Vincent Mastrorocco; his brothers and sisters, Elizabeth "Lib" Struble, of Weltytown, Marcella "Budge" Baum, of Stahlstown, William Shopsky, of Norvelt, and Harriet "Jean" Rundy, of Luxor; and several nieces and nephews. Harvey enjoyed traveling until his beloved wife, Rosemary, developed Alzheimer's disease, and he lovingly took care of her until her death in 2004. Harvey will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Their consolation dwells in their faith that he is at home with the Lord and his family, and that they will see him again some day. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity. Prayers will be held at 10:20 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Florian Catholic Church, United, with the Rev. William C. McGuirk as celebrant. Interment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
Family Members
Spouse
Rosemary AA Cralley Shopsky
1922–2004
