Michael J. Oprea
Our dad, Michael J. Oprea went to Guatemala, early on Friday morning, surrounded by his girls. He fought a very hard battle of glioblastoma until his very last breath. He was a fighter, stronger than any man I know, through many obstacles, hardly batting an eye, bossing his way through it. He leaves behind his three children, Katie (Elton), Michael (Kerwin), and Sean (Erin). Also his five grandchildren, Olivia, Adeline, Mary Grace, Hunter and Hayden. Also left behind was Mary, his “little lady”. Mike left behind some really devoted siblings and best friends that cared for him unwaveringly. Sharon, Margie, Dave, Adam, Kyley, Mark, Samantha, Joel, Savanna, Drew, Ray, Larry, Dan, Brian, Kelb and Danielle and many, many friends that were made to feel like they were the best ever.
My Dad had an awesome small-town childhood full of big family, grade school friends and hometown football fame with his brother Nick. He went on to a full career in nursing that took him all over the U.S and the world. Rounding out his nursing career was a long-time position at Parma Hospital where he was well known in the OR, as well as HR….
In the end though as he would have told you in the beginning, it was family and friends that mattered most to him. He always told me to go to every wedding, go to every funeral. Show up. That was the kind of man my Dad was, the kind that shows up. Every time.
Please join us on Saturday, January 26, 2019, in a Celebration of his Life at German Central, 7863 York Road, Parma from 4-9pm. There will be dinner, drinks and lots of songs my dad loved.
In lieu of flowers sent to us, please consider sending them to someone you love that is around to enjoy them. Or go dancing or buy your friend a beer. He would have loved that.
Or consider donating in his honor to either one of these charities that support Native Americans. My dad would love this so much.
American Indian Services: www.americanindianservices.org/donate/
First Nations Development Institute: www.firstnations.org/ways-to-give/
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Michael was one of my favorites at BHS I saw him at the 40 reunion and he looked just like he did in school He seemed to be the perfect small town football hero handsome and smart and humble
I just learned of Mike’s passing 1-29. I got to see him a few months ago and was grateful for the opportunity to visit with him one last time. He was a great friend and teammate since grade school. Always the caring person. He will be missed. So sorry for your loss.
I graduated with Mike at BHS. I have some very fond memories of him. Mike was always a good sport and treated people well. He never took himself too seriously. He listened to what you had to say and gave you his honest thoughts. He really cared about people.
Opera Family,
What a wonderful tribute to Mike and his wonderful legacy. I only knew Mike casually but he was larger than life to me as a young Hurricane. Mike was a childhood idol of mine and always retained that status with me.
Always a class act, Gentleman.
God’s peace to all of his loved ones.
“Brooklyn Pride”
Oprea Family,
What a wonderful tribute to Mike and his wonderful legacy. I only knew Mike casually but he was larger than life to me as a young Hurricane. Mike was a childhood idol of mine and always retained that status with me.
Always a class act, Gentleman.
God’s peace to all of his loved ones.
“Brooklyn Pride”
Ope,
Fate and good fortune caused our paths to cross way back in 1970 when we were TKE fraternity brothers and roommates in the Frat house’s infamous room 1.
From that point, life became one adventure after another. Browns games in the “original” dog pound, softball teammates, white water rafting, road trips, Polish Open partners and champions (once), members of the Clinic elite PA squad, and many, many evenings sharing life events, both good and bad, on a bar stool at Nicky’s.
You were the best man at my wedding, and I was honored to be Sean’s godfather. I couldn’t be YOUR best friend (you had many of those), but you were mine, and I’m going to miss you, big guy.
“little mike”.