Thomas J. Sopko, 83 years of age, formerly of Coaldale, Pennsylvania passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Lebanon Veterans Hospital in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Born Monday, September 20, 1943 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the son of the late George and Agnes (Bugay) Sopko. Tommy was also predeceased by; brothers, Edward J. and George Sopko Jr.

A graduate of the former Coaldale High School, Tommy was a standout football player in his youth. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62) with Jet Attack Squadron VA-66. Upon returning home, Tommy embarked on a dedicated 33-year career with Bethlehem Steel, working as a structural steel inspector and Foreman until his retirement in 1995.

Deeply devoted to his faith, Tommy was a former member of St. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Coaldale, where he served as an usher and as Vice President for both the Holy Name Society and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was a current parishioner of St. John XXIII R.C.C. in Tamaqua, a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus (Father Henry Baker Lodge 2711, Tamaqua) and belonged to the Men of Malvern.

Tommy was profoundly committed to supporting his fellow veterans and his local community, holding leadership roles and life memberships in numerous organizations:

• Veterans & Military Organizations: Life Member, past Commander, and longtime Adjutant of the Coaldale American Legion Post 170; District 13 Adjutant for the Department of Pennsylvania American Legion; Life Member of the Coaldale VFW Post 6982, Lansford AmVets Post 83, Disabled American Veterans, and the Navy Club USA (McAdoo Post 1, Black Diamond Ship 257 of Minersville).
• Community & Civic Service: Past President of the Coaldale Lions Club and a volunteer with the Coaldale Fire Company #1. He also served on the WWII Coaldale Monument Committee and the Panther Creek Foundation #9 Mine Committee.
• Clubs & Associations: Member of the United Steelworkers, Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association

, Coaldale Russian Citizens Club, Reading Railroad Technical & Historical Society, Catholic Golden Age Club, and Tamaqua Senior Citizens.

• Sportsman & Historical Interests: An avid sportsman and history enthusiast, he belonged to the National Rifle Association, the Gettysburg Foundation Civil War Association, and several rod and gun clubs, including West Penn, West Ward (Coaldale), Ontelaunee (New Tripoli), and Beaver Run (Lehighton).

Tommy is survived by; daughter, Patricia Sopko Boden and her husband Robert; grandson, Tyler Boden.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Tommy's name on from St. John XXIII R.C.C. 309 Pine street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania at 10 am on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

A calling will be held from the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 4-6 pm. 

Interment with Military Honors bestowed will be at Sky View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com