Stephen M. Popy Died Nov. 25, 2016

Stephen M. Popy

Stephen Michael “Mike” Popy 94, of Northport and Traverse City, passed away November 25, 2016 at Boardman Lake Glens Assisted Living.

Mike was born on September 22, 1922 to the late Daniel and Bessie (Pello) Popy in Highland Park, Michigan. Mike was youngest member of his family and was also preceded in death by his sister Agnes and brothers George, Pete and Frank.

He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II and was a P51 Mustang pilot and flight leader in the Eighth Air Force, 361st Fighter Group, 374th Fighter Squadron. He was a flight commander in charge of eight pilots, and a section leader and squadron leader on many missions.

During his service he was awarded the Air Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster and six bronze oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with four bronze battle stars. He saw tours in England and Germany. From 1946 to 1957 he was a member of the Air Reserves.

His mother was a blue star mother with four sons in military service at the same time.

Like so many men of the greatest generation, he had a humility about his military service. When his wife Shirley once asked “how could you see flying that plane way up there?” he matter-of-factly replied “well, it was a little bit hard with your head sticking out the window”.

Mike especially enjoyed traveling to his Air Force reunions and visited Florida, Virginia, Ohio and S. Carolina.

Mike married Shirley J. McCormick from Melvindale, MI on November 6, 1948, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage until her death in 2004. They lived in Melvindale and Allen Park and in later years Northport with winters spent in Mesa, AZ. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and make sure no one was excluded, they held three parties with family and friends – Northport, Dearborn, and Mesa, AZ.

Mike was a member of and served on the Board of Deacons at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church from 1959-1962. He was detail-oriented and meticulously prepared bread cubes for communion services on a specially made cutting board, with mom standing over his shoulder discarding the uneven pieces. He also served as an usher.

Mike attended the Brookes School of Photographic Arts (retouching) and Jerome School of Photography (commercial and professional photography) in Detroit during 1959-1961. Most people will remember dad with a camera in his hands. As a photographer he took many children’s and family photos along with confirmation and choir photos for church. He is rarely seen in family photos as he was always behind the camera. When living in Melvindale he had his own dark room in the basement, which fascinated his daughters. Many weekends the girls were models for various subjects in lighting and composition and enjoyed the attention (although not the bright and hot photo lamps). His love of photography continued throughout his life, even when impeded by his low vision.

Mike, or “Steverino” as he was sometimes called at work, retired from the Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park in 1980 with 33 years of service. He worked in materials development and metallurgy as an engineering technician, specializing in macrophotography of materials. He also worked as a lab technician on operation and maintenance of test stands and testing of gas turbine materials. After retiring from Chrysler, Mike began a second career working as a file clerk for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and a fiscal assistant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, retiring in 1991.

Mike enjoyed his retirement in Northport and could usually be seen working outside from sun up to sundown. He preferred cutting grass, trimming bamboo, or tinkering with the water pump to being inside. Music was always a part of his life and after Shirley died, he moved his drum set into the living room (she would have been mortified) and played along with big band and jazz tapes. As years progressed, wet macular degeneration took most of his sight; his hearing, like most WWII pilots, was limited. He was determined, however, to live as independently as possible and continued to adapt to his physical conditions. Even though it stifled his independence, he took pride in voluntarily surrendering his driver’s license when his vision became more restricted.

After a serious fall the day after Christmas 2012 Mike left the hospital and spent three months in Munson Hospice House. He was gravely ill and family and friends thought this would be the end of his life. As a testament to his determination and willpower he got up and with the aid of a walker, became mobile again. A special young aide there presented him with an “I flunked hospice” t-shirt, which remains a treasured gift.
Mike will be remembered as both a gentle man, and a gentleman, who showed others kindness and patience. He was small but mighty with a positive attitude and a seemingly limitless amount of strength and perseverance. He was a hard-working man who always wore a smile and was considerate and helpful to others. Mike’s cooperative and pleasant demeanor did not go unnoticed by his many caregivers when caring for him at the hospital, in assisted living facilities, and hospice settings.

Mike is survived by his three daughters: Karen (Arthur) Bucki of Brighton, MI; Susan (Gary) McMahen of Indianapolis, IN; and Cheryl (Mike) Blevins of Trenton, MI and also three grandchildren: Jennifer (Donnie) Schrader of Scottsdale AZ, Justin Bucki of Royal Oak, and Austin Blevins of Trenton MI.

Cremation and burial have taken place with Martinson Funeral Home handling arrangements. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held next summer in Northport.

Those wishing to make a contribution in memory of Mike may do so to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684, or the Allen Park Presbyterian Church, 7101 Park Avenue, Allen Park, MI 48101.

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of: Susan McMahen, 8168 Penn Place, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

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