Henry Stopka, 95

ROCHESTER – Henry Stopka, 95, of Rochester, passed away on October 3, 2025, at Alden Court Nursing Home in Fairhaven.  He was the husband of the late Nancy A. (Lake) Stopka. They were married for 60 years.  He was the son of the late John and Alexandria (Ostrawski) Stopka.

He was born in Wareham and lived in Rochester since 1957.

He began his military service in the U.S. Air Force and was a Korean War Veteran.  He then joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served for 30 years, retiring as a Senior Chief Firefighter. He also served in the Massachusetts National Guard.  

Mr. Stopka worked in civil service at Otis Air Force Base as a firefighter for 26 years.  He also worked for Decas Cranberry Company for many years.   He and his wife were commercial quahog fisherman, a job which he and his wife enjoyed very much.

He was a member of the Tri Town Veteran’s Association, and he enjoyed gardening.  Most of all he loved his family and attending various family events and being surround by his loving family and friends.

Survivors include his children, Stephen Stopka of Middleboro, Deborah Veary and her husband, Kenneth of Rochester, Gary Stopka and his wife Anne Marie of Rochester, and Jennifer Thomas and her companion Dennis Lynch of Fairhaven; 5 grandchildren, Justin Thomas, Ryan, Trevor, Caitlin, and Jethro Stopka; a step granddaughter, Heather McIvor and her husband, Thomas; a great granddaughter, McKenna Thomas; many nephews and nieces. He was the father of the late Jeffrey Stopka.

Visiting hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – WAREHAM, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256 or online at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org