Obituaries: October 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

Jeffrey Lopinski

Jeff Lopinski, 63, of Madison Heights, Mich. died on Sept. 1.

      Jeff was a regular umpire for Senior Softball USA and ISA, as well as a regional assistant director and UIC for Mike Dembicki, SSUSA’s Michigan State director.

     “Jeff was a small man with a big heart,” said Dembicki. “He was born with a heart condition… [but] that didn't slow down his love of sports.”

     He coached and umpired youth sports for many years and was a “lifelong fan of University of Michigan teams, and the Detroit Lions and Tigers.”

     Jeff umpired and staffed at SSUSA’s Northern Championships every year since 2010.

     “His dedication to senior softball and our players was inspiring," said Fran Dowell, executive director of SSUSA. "We thank him for all his hard work and we’ll miss him.”

     He will be remembered by many managers and players for the dedication and sense of humor he brought to the field.