David Popek

David John Popek Jr, of Wallington, died on Nov 12, 2012, he was 25. David was born on Sept 2, 1987 to David Popek, Sr., and Barbara (Perry) Popek. David was one of Wallington’s incredibly talented young men. In high school he was an accomplished athlete; 2004 - Football: 1st Team All League Running Back; in his Senior Year 2005-06 he was a four year letterman in Football, Basketball, and Track. In football he was the 1st Team All League Running Back. His other football accomplishments include; 2 years in a row he rushed for over 1000 yards, and the only player to do that. He broke the Career Rushing Record with a total of 3442 yards. He broke the Career Touchdown record with 38. He was one of the Super 100 All State Football Team; he won the NFFCHF Scholar Athlete Award; the Herald News – All Area MVP Football award; he participated in the Bergen County All-Star Football game. While playing boys basketball: he won Honorable Mention All-League; and in boys track he accomplished 2nd Team All League- 1600 Relay. He received the Coaches Award in Basketball; MVP Award in football and track both Junior and Senior years. He was also awarded the Outstanding Male Athlete for Wallington High School Award. In addition to playing sports, he was the Vice President of the National Honor Society, President of the Student Council, and was also a stage actor in the Wallington High School plays, staring as Mr. Green in Clue, and Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace. David served as a peer mentor for (Hero’s and Cool Kids). After graduation from Wallington High School David attended the College of New Jersey, where he majored in Political Science and minored in Criminal Justice. He played football for the College of New Jersey Lions and was on the NJAC championship team. David was also a member of the Sigma Phi Fraternity. In 2011 David became a distinct member of the United States Air Marshalls, which has become his passion, and a source of pride. During his academy training, David broke the Agility record for the shuttle run at FLETC Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. David is survived by his loving mother Barbara and her husband Kurt Derner; his loving father David Sr and his wife Kathleen. He is survived by his beloved brothers, Steven and Matthew, and little sister Barbara Joyce Popek. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents Joyce and John Popek of Wallington; numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and Godparents, Michael Popek and Patricia Rush; Coach, mentor and friend, Jim Albro; cherished girlfriend Caroline Kehoe of PA; and his devoted boxer “Layla.” He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Barbara and George Perry of East Rutherford. Visiting will take place at Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Ave Wallington, NJ 07057 Sun 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Monday, Nov 19th, at Christ United Methodist Church, 228 Main St. East Rutherford, NJ 07073, where David was an acolyte, reader and served the church in many other ways. Please visit, www.WarnerAndWozniak.com to share memories and condolences with the family.