Michael O'Pake

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Michael A. O'Pake
Member of the
Leonard Bodack
Succeeded byAnthony Williams
Personal details
Born(1940-02-02)February 2, 1940
Attorney

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]

Early life and education

O'Pake was born on February 2, 1940,

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 from 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. ^ a b c d e f ""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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Senate - Michael A O'Pake Biography". Pennsylvania State Senate. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Many Reflect On Sen. O'Pake's Life, Service". 69 News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  6. ^ a b 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".

External links

Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Robert Gerhart
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 11th District
1973–2010
Succeeded by
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
Preceded by
None
Position made elected
Attorney General of Pennsylvania

1980
Succeeded by
Allen Ertel