Joseph Anthony Hopper, age 84, of Sewickley, a longtime resident of Moon Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sept. 24, 2017 at Masonic Village in Sewickley.

He was born June 11, 1933 in Pittsburgh, son of the late Patrick Joseph Hopper and Catherine (Rochford) Hopper.

He is survived by his family, including his wife Loretta Mae Turk, the love of his life since they said “I do” on June 13, 1959.  He proudly raised four children , Lori Ann (Wes) Gleason of Hollywood, MD, Patrick Hopper of Jakarta, Indonesia, Michael (April) Hopper of Moon Township, and Shawn Hopper of Carlisle, PA.  Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren Keith (Jennifer) Gleason, Meghan Gleason, Shannon Gleason, Katie Hopper, Morgan Hopper, Drew Hopper, and Lily Hopper, and a great grandchild who is expected to arrive January, 2018.

Joe is also survived by “Irish triplet” brothers Michael Patrick (Paulette) Hopper of Fredericksburg, VA and Richard Gerard (Mary) Hopper of Syracuse, NY, many nephews, nieces and extended family.  He is predeceased by his parents and sister Beatrice Totaro.

Family was a prime importance in Joe’s life.  He took great pride in his children, and enjoyed entertaining and nurturing his grandchildren creating many fond memories with them.  He never missed a chance to write a paper with them, attend a ball game, dance recital, birthday party, wedding or even utilizing FaceTime to stay close with his family all over the world.  He was happiest when the grandchildren came to stay in the summer and he and Loretta took them to see all the best parts of Pittsburgh.

Joe and his wife Loretta enjoyed the close friendships developed with the neighbors on McCartney Drive along with St Margaret Mary Church in Moon Township where they have been longtime parishioner's along with new friendships formed since moving to Masonic Village.

In addition to his family, Joe enjoyed many vacations.  He spent several winters in Florida, and traveled extensively with family to numerous countries.

Joe was a 1952 graduate of North Catholic High School.  Upon completion of High School, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard and served on the USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70) during the Korean War. He was the recipient of the United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Joe graduated Duquesne University School of Business in 1959, and received his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in 1970. 

Joe worked for the Internal Revenue Service from 1962 to 1985 as a Criminal Investigator Special Agent with the US Treasury Department, where he conducted undercover tax fraud investigations.  He spearheaded the Economic Stabilization Program from 1971-1974. Upon retirement, he was the recipient of the Albert Gallatin Award.  Joe was also detailed to the Secret Service.   He served as a Secret Service agent for several US Presidents and Presidential Candidates.  

Joe was employed as the Assistant District Attorney of Allegheny County from 1986 to 1998.  He was involved with the implementation of DUI arrest training programs for police departments throughout the county. Joe’s previous experience with the IRS made him particularly instrumental in enhancing white collar crime prosecutions. Joe was the recipient of the Law Enforcement Award from the Variety Club of Pittsburgh in 1989.

After retiring from the District Attorney’s office, Joe continued to practice law by doing pro bono work for anyone who needed help, including criminal defense work, gaining another perspective of the law.

Visitation will be at Copelands Moon Township Funeral Home , 981 Brodhead Rd. on 27 Sept 2017 from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6PM to 9 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Margaret Mary in Moon Township 28 Sept 2017 at 10 AM followed by the Rite of Committal at the St Mary Catholic Cemetery in Cecil.

Donations, in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Joseph A. Hopper, Esq. to Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, P. O. Box 39, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, http://www.themackinaw.org/donate-26/or any other Coast Guard historical site or the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, PO Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036, https://www.cmtausa.org/ways-to-give/

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