Michael O'Pake

Michael A. O'Pake (February 2, 1940 – December 27, 2010) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 11th District from 1973 to 2010. He served as the Democratic Whip in Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2010.[1]

Michael A. O'Pake
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 2, 1973 – December 27, 2010
Preceded byRobert Gerhart
Succeeded byJudy Schwank
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from 's 126th district
In office
January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1972
Preceded byDistrict Created
Succeeded byHarold Stahl
Democratic Whip
of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office
January 2, 2001 – December 27, 2010
Preceded byLeonard Bodack
Succeeded byAnthony Williams
Personal details
Born(1940-02-02)February 2, 1940
Reading, Pennsylvania
DiedDecember 27, 2010(2010-12-27) (aged 70)
Reading, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceReading, Pennsylvania
Alma materSaint Joseph's University, University of Pennsylvania
ProfessionAttorney

Early life and education

O'Pake was born on February 2, 1940,[2] in Reading, Pennsylvania to Michael E. and Anna M. O'Pake.[3][4] He graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1957.[5][6] He received an A.B. from St. Joseph's University in 1961[5][6] and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1964.[4][7] O'Pake was described as a devout Catholic.[5]

Career

O'Pake was elected to the General Assembly of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1968.[2]

In 1972, O'Pake was elected to represent the 11th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate.[2] In November 2000, he was chosen as the Democratic Whip for the Pennsylvania State Senate.[8] He was reelected to the Whip position for the 2011-2012 legislative term.[2] He served as the first chairman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and wrote the Child Protective Services law to help victims of child abuse.[2][3]

Death

O'Pake died on December 27, 2010, at age 70, following complications suffered during heart bypass surgery.[2] In 2011, Saint Joseph's University named their sports complex the O'Pake Recreational Center in O'Pake's honor.[9]

References
  1. "O'Pake re-elected as Senate Democratic whip". The Reading Eagle. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012.
  2. ""State Sen. Michael O'Pake has died", The Reading Eagle, December 27, 2010". Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  3. Holmes, Kristen (28 December 2010). "Obituary: Michael A. O'Pake / Longest-serving member of state Legislature". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  4. "Pennsylvania Senate - Michael A O'Pake Biography". Pennsylvania State Senate. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. "Many Reflect On Sen. O'Pake's Life, Service". 69 News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  6. Bautsch, Florence (15 February 1980). "Sen. O'Pake believe Attorney general people's lawyer". Newspapers.
  7. "O'PAKE PLANS TO SEEK 7TH TERM IN STATE SENATE". mcall.com. 27 January 1996. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  8. "O'Pake named Senate minority Whip". Newspapers. 16 November 2000.
  9. "Recreation Center Named For O'Pake '61".
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Robert Gerhart		 Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 11th District
1973–2010		 Succeeded by
Judy Schwank
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by
District Created		 Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 126th District
1969–1972		 Succeeded by
Harold Stahl
Party political offices
Preceded by
Leonard Bodack		 Democratic Whip of the Pennsylvania Senate
2001–2010		 Succeeded by
Anthony Williams
Preceded by
None
Position made elected		 Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1980		 Succeeded by
Allen Ertel
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