Greg Popovich

Michael Gregory Popovich   

North Sydney

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Michael Gregory Popovich, as the result of a motor vehicle accident on Sunday June 27, 2021.

 Greg was born in Sydney Mines on March 3, 1960. He was the son of Michael & Violet Popovich (nee Boutilier). The only boy of 6 children, he was the apple of his dad’s eye, which he knew.  He was protective of his sisters and our boyfriends were certainly aware of this.

Greg attended Memorial High School and moved to Ontario in his late teens. He was employed with Dahlstrom Steel Industries in Toronto for over 10 years. He made regular summer and Christmas visits home to spend time with family and friends, which he looked forward to every year. Greg couldn’t contain his excitement when he had the opportunity to move back to Cape Breton and was employed with Magna until it’s closing in 2009. He was especially proud of the fact the company selected the name he invented “P.F.C. Precision Finished Components” and pointed it out when we drove by the large sign. The past few years he travelled back and forth to Alberta, employed with the Labourer’s union.

  Greg had a dry sense of humor and loved a good laugh. He cared deeply for his family and friends. He was a worrier and would often ask “How Ya Feeling”? He always ended a phone call with “Love Ya’”. Growing up he loved family gatherings at Little Pond beach, devouring Ma’s home-made boiled dinner, and a dip in the ocean. In later years he enjoyed family gatherings at the cottage in George’s River, fishing, boating, and swimming. His daily trip to Tim’s often included his long-term buddy Paul and his loyal furry companion “Bootsie”. Greg was a loyal Leaf’s fan and had a few expletives when the Habs recently won the series.

Greg’s world was his family, and he was extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments. He encouraged and supported their educational goals. You could see pure pride in his eyes as he spoke of Michael’s business or Stephanie’s nursing career. He was always there for them, through good times and bad.

Mourning this devastating loss is his wife Karen (nee Pyke), son Michael (Jody) and granddaughter Madilynn, daughter Stephanie (Kyle) and grandson Elliott, as well as sisters-in-law Joanne and Yvonne (Lawrence). Greg also leaves behind sisters Darlene, Anita (Brian), Ann, Michelle (John Wayne). Greg is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Greg was predeceased by his father Michael, his sister Brenda, mother and father-in-law Ruth and Leslie (Peter) Pyke, and brother-in-law Brian.

Visitation to place at J. M. Jobes Funeral Home in Sydney Mines on Thursday July 1, 2021 from 2 to 4 pm. Due to Covid restrictions a private family funeral service will be held at a later date. To honour Greg’s memory please make a donation to your local food bank.

“The sorrow we feel when we loose a loved one, is the price we pay to have had them in our lives”…Rob Liano

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com