Matthew E. Sopher

Matthew Eugene Sopher b October 7, 1931 Grove City, PA d February 25, 2013 Indian Rocks Beach, FL age 81 Matthew E. Sopher passed away peacefully with his children at his side on Monday morning, February 25 in the Largo Medical Center from complications of an extended illness. Matt was the middle son of Matthew Dentin Sopher and Virginia Hitchcock Sopher of Grove City, PA. He graduated from Grove City High School (PA) in 1950 after playing on the Grove City Eagles football team with his 2 brothers. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged after several cruises associated with the Korean conflict. He returned home to attend Grove City College and major in Accounting. While there, he worked part time at the Shelly Funeral home, joined the Beta Sigma Fraternity and decided to "stay in town" to establish his career. He was soon swept off his feet by the sweet smile of a lovely brunette nurse in a blue convertible and married Alice Cleo Sholler of Harrisville, PA on July 23, 1955. Matt and Alice were the proud parents of Melinda Beth (Mindy) Sopher of Raleigh, NC, a faculty member at NC State University, and Michael Eugene of Indian Rocks Beach, FL, a Lumber Broker. The Sopher family and made their home in Grove City until Alice passed away in 2004. Matt then moved to Florida to live with Michael and his family, Joann Nelson and her children Shannon, 17 and Eric 13, where he was delighted to share his final years with them. Matt Sopher was employed by the Cooper Bessemer Engine plant in Grove City, then managed several trucking companies for the majority of his life, ending his career as General Manager of J Miller Express in Mercer and President of their Dry Bulk Division. He did private and contract accounting work after he retired. Matt was a member of Grove City's Tower United Presbyterian Church, Elks Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles. He was a leader in the Grove City Jaycees and helped to create the annual Grove City Street Fair with them. "Mac Jr" also followed in father "Mac's" footsteps and became a Master Mason at the Grove City Lodge F & AM, then served as DeMolay Advisor when son Michael was Master Councilor. Matt was an active member of the American Trucking Association and enjoyed traveling with Alice to the ATA Conventions around the country. His membership in the Grove City Country Club included great memories with a wonderful long time golf foursome and "at least two" holes in one. He was thankful for the love of his siblings: older brother Robert (Bob) of Hermitage, PA and wife Sally, sister Evelyn Robertson of The Villages, FL and her husband Michael, sister Frances Herring of Humble Texas and her husband Bob, and his younger brother Dick (C. Richard), and his wife Carole of Bethel Park, PA. Their combined 14 children gave Matt and Alice wonderful nieces and nephews to enjoy and cherish. Matt was predeceased by his parents, his younger brother, Dick Sopher and his Brother in Law Mike Robertson. Matt was a model of strength and grace as he battled both melanoma and leukemia, while his wife and daughter fought three other cancers. He loved the US Marine Corps, Chinese cooking, golf, travel, reading, Pittsburgh Steelers football, professional boxing, "dancing with his bride," breeding English Bulldogs, bragging about his children, and most of all, he loved Alice. As per his wishes, the family will host a Celebration of Matt's Life including Military Honors on the beach in Florida later this spring. Arrangements are being handled by the David C. Gross Funeral Home of St. Petersburg at www.davidcgross.com where they will share celebration details as they form. For those who wish to honor him, in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in tribute to Matthew E. Sopher in any of these three ways: by noting "The Sopher Scholarship Fund" to support higher education graduate work and, as Matt said, "perpetuate the good family name" at www.kappadelta.org/makefoundationdonation, or to help kids have a nice Christmas through the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation at www.toysfortots.org/donate/tribute-donation.asp, or the Pretty in Pink Foundation to directly help cancer survivors at www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org . The family expresses sincere appreciation to Matt's care givers at Largo Medical Center and Hospice, Bay Pines Veteran's Hospital, his Western PA Oncolological team, Father Bob of Calvary Episcopal Church in Indian Rocks Beach, their wonderful family, "extended family" and lifelong friends Pat and George Shontz of Madeira Beach, Florida for the exceptional care and love Matt received through the years. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Belcher Road Chapel in Clearwater is serving the family. Service Information