BENEDICT J. SOPCZYNSKI

Oct. 12, 1915 - Feb. 28, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Benedict J. Sopczynski, 93, of South Bend, passed away on Saturday February 28, 2009, in the Sanctuary at Holy Cross, South Bend. He was born on October 12, 1915, in South Bend, to the late John and Martha (Turczynski) Sopczynski and was a lifelong area resident.

Ben graduated from South Bend Central High School, where he played football and baseball and was an Indiana All State Football Player. Then, he attended the University of Evansville where he played football and later played with regional semi-pro football teams.

On November 21, 1940, Ben married Bernice Radecki, who preceded him in death in 1979. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Bernice Lesniewicz, Evelyn Grabarek, and Theresa Sopczynski, by a brother, John "Jackie" Sopczynski and long-time companion, Agnes Van Damme.

He is survived by his three daughters, Mary Ellen (Dean) Adams of South Bend, Barbara (Thomas) Gruszynski of Granger, IN and Christine Sopczynski of South Bend; four grandchildren, Laura Bucks, Matthew Adams and Scott and Leslie Gruszynski; four great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Natalie, and Sarah Adams and Gabrielle Gruszynski; and by a sister, Alice Fanti of Mishawaka, IN.

Ben worked for the Studebaker Corporation and then retired from the Mastics Corporation in 1980. He was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus B. M. Catholic Church, where he coached football and baseball in the 1940's. There were many organizations in which Ben was a life-long member, including the American Legion Pulaski Post #357, DE Amici Club, Chain-O-Lakes Conservation Club, and St. Joseph Young Men's Society. Also, he was a member of the South Bend Homing Pigeon Club and the American Rose Society. In Ben's younger years, he loved spending summers working on the family farms in Rolling Prairie, IN and at the age of 11, he received a team of horses from his Uncle Frank Turek.

He loved outdoor activities, especially hunting, fishing, landscaping, and gardening. For over 60 years, Ben maintained a bed of 80 hybrid roses. Each June, he faithfully picked strawberries and delivered them to his family and friends. Ben was an incredible polish cook and every holiday, he took great pride in making polish sausage and sweet sour cabbage. Throughout his life, he remained a faithful Notre Dame football fan. He will always be remembered for his "glass half-full" attitude towards life, broad and warm smile, and friendly wink.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 PM Sunday March 8, 2009, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Monday, March 9, 2009, in the St. Stanislaus B.M. Catholic Church, 415 N. Brookfield Street, South Bend, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus B.M. Catholic Church, 920 Wilber Street, South Bend, IN 46628. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 6, 2009.

03/03/2023 EJS