Obituary of Cornelius Thomas Popkey

Sgt. Cornelius T. Popkey (Neil) 88 years old of Rochester Hills, MI. retired from Shelby Township FD(80), WWII Army Veteran(45-48), Life Member of the F.O.P., and past president of Metropolitan Club(82-83). Neil died of complications of old age at Clinton Aire Nursing Home under the care of Seasons Hospice Services. He died in the company of his 2nd wife Noreene and his daughter Karen Rogensues. While being surrounded in his final days by his son in law Jeffrey Rogensues, Joe(Doreen) Bush, and grandson Casey Rogensues.He is survived by his son Micheal Popkey and grandsons Jason Popkey and Carl Rogensues. He is preceded in death(00) by his wife of 50 years, Lena(Helene) Popkey. Neil was a self made man, having risen from being abandoned as a child in the streets of Detroit during the depression, and then raised in a Boy's Home in Fredonia NY. by the Catholic Church. He volunteered for the US Army with the orphanage's support at 16 years old, where he became to serve in Germany and capture the heart of his "War Bride" Helene at 19 years old. While raising a family in the early years of Warren and then Utica, MI. he liked to camp, fish, and cut the grass with his children. He volunteered again as a "on call" Firefighter for Shelby Township in the 50's. Neil became one of the first full time Fireman for Shelby Township in 1958, later being promoted to Sargent in 1976 and proudly wearing his Badge #4 right up until his passing. Services are to be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI 48442 on November 27, 2015 Please sign Neils Online Guestbook.