Gary ‘Soapy’ Shaporka – Jefferson Township

Gary “Soapy” Shaporka, 73, of Jefferson Township, died peacefully July 30, 2019, with his family at his side. He was born May 29, 1946, in Charleroi, son of Harry Shaporka and Olga Andreas Shaporka. Gary was a very talented artist working in Rochester, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa. He also worked at the Allenport steel mill. Enjoyment of his life was being the original “Steel Man” at the 1970s and 1980s Steelers games, being a proud father to his sons, grandfather to his granddaughters and writing editorials for the Herald Standard Newspaper. Gary was a proud member of the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Belle Vernon. He is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Robinson Shaporka; two sons, Daniel Shaporka and wife Amanda and son, Matthew Shaporka both of Grindstone; four granddaughters, whom he adored, Dyanna, Kendall, Kaelyn and Danika; brother, Gregory Shaporka of California, Pa.; and sisters-in-law, Blanche, Judy (Robert) and Angel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Olga Shaporka; son, David Shaporka; and sister, Georgia-Ann Shaporka. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at ELEY-MCCRORY FUNERAL HOME INC., 334 Main St., Fayette City, PA. www.eleymccroryfuneralhome.com. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Holy Resurrection Orthodox, Mary St., Belle Vernon, with the Rev. Father Stephen Gresh as celebrant. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church on Saturday. Interment will follow in the Bowman-Flatwoods Cemetery, Vanderbilt. Panachida service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.