Michael O'Pake

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]

Michael A. O'Pake
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 11th district
In office January 2, 1973 – December 27, 2010
Preceded by	Robert Gerhart
Succeeded by	Judy Schwank
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 126th district
In office January 7, 1969 – November 30, 1972
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	Harold Stahl
Democratic Whip of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office January 2, 2001 – December 27, 2010
Preceded by	Leonard Bodack
Succeeded by	Anthony Williams
Personal details
Born	(1940-02-02)February 2, 1940 Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	December 27, 2010(2010-12-27) (aged 70) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Residence(s)	Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	Saint Joseph's University (AB) University of Pennsylvania (JD)
Profession	Attorney

Early life and education

O'Pake was born on February 2, 1940,^[2] in Reading, Pennsylvania to Michael E. and Anna M. O'Pake.^[3][4] He graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1957.^[5][6] He received an A.B. from 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]