This week, Redwood City lost a bit of local history. Jack Popik died peacefully at home on May 10, just nine days shy of his 96th birthday. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 70 years, Anita.
Jack was born in San Francisco in 1921 and moved with his family to Redwood City in 1937. His father opened Popik Furniture Co. soon after, and Jack joined him in the family business. In 1942, Jack enlisted in the Air Force and served as a ball turret gunner on a B-17, one of the most dangerous assignments in World War II.
After the war, Jack returned to Redwood City and to Popik Furniture, where he remained the rest of his working life. Even after he "retired" and passed the business on to his nephew, Jack was at the store nearly every day until its 2004 closure. Jack was immensely proud that Popik Furniture was a Redwood City institution for over 65 years and was thrilled when a former customer--or child or grandchild of a former customer--would recount a memory of a piece of furniture that came from "Popik's."
Following his retirement, Jack volunteered at the San Mateo County courthouse and in the Records Division of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department, working there well into his 80s. As the only man in the group, he especially enjoyed bringing donuts to "his ladies" every week. Jack and Anita were also long-time members of Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City and ardent supporters of the Sequoia Hospital Foundation.
Jack had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell jokes, often laughing so hard midway through that he couldn't get to the punch line. He also loved tennis, playing several times a week into his 90s. Even after he was no longer able to play, Jack and his tennis buddies met weekly for breakfast.
Jack is survived by a large and loving family: his son, William Popik, MD, and his wife, Alexis Rankin Popik; his daughter, Susan Popik, and her husband, Steven Leonard; his five grandchildren: Sara Rankin (Eddie Hanson), Jenica Popik Leonard (Heath Hutchison), Benjamin Popik (Joanna), Becca Popik Chambers (John), and Nathaniel Popik (Suzanna); and the five great-grandchildren who were the special lights of his life: Kamiko Hanson, Cole and Rory Hutchison, and Jack and Lyla Chambers. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to Anita, Jack was predeceased by his sister, Marion Smilovitz.
Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, followed by interment at Hills of Eternity in Colma. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Jack's memory to the Sequoia Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice.
Rest easy, Dad. We'll take it from here.