George William Wopperer

George attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in 1949 and Canisius College in 1953. He starred all four years on the Canisius College hockey team, earning the nickname “The Flying Freshman” for scoring six goals in a game against Niagara University. After graduating from Canisius College he served in the U.S. Army and afterward founded Thermal Foams Inc., which grew into a multi-million dollar company. George then moved on to found Remedial Insulation Barriers, Co., (RIBCO), which was incorporated in 1977. The company is now run by sons George and Anton.

While building multiple businesses, George and his wife, the former Jacqueline Shea, were married for 63 years and had nine children. Together they traveled extensively, visiting the Great Wall of China, the Amazon Rainforest and five of seven continents, including Antarctica.

George was active throughout his entire life, especially enjoying hockey, tennis, golf, and skiing. At the age of 82 he completed a tandem parachute jump. He also flew in a hot-air balloon, bowled a perfect game and golfed at Pebble Beach and in two Pro-Am golf tournaments, finally making a hole-in-one two years ago. George also remained active in the Catholic community, serving as usher, eucharistic minister and lector at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Chairman of the Catholic Charities Appeal, member of the Bishop’s Council of the Laity, and Chairman of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Blood Drive. George was honored by Canisius College as a member of the DiGamma Honor Society in 2009 and was also inducted into St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute’s Signum Fidei Society in 2021. He is a longtime blood donor and member of the American Legion.

Beloved husband of 63 years to the late Jacqueline (nee Shea) Wopperer. Dear father of Donald (Arthur), Patricia (Ronald) Olin, Jacqueline Stoj (Michael Crotzer), Julianne (Rus) Thompson, Suzanne, George C. (Michelle), Anton (Lisa) and the late Joseph and Michael Wopperer. Father-in-law of Maureen Wopperer, Marcia (William) Scheider and the late Ron Stoj. Dear Grandfather of Joseph, Emily (Andrew), Anna (Michael), Nicholas, Matthew (Amy), Courtney (John), Bridge, Julian (Gaby), Georgianna (Jared), Joseph (Savanah), Elijah (Elizabeth), Jacob (Marissa), Abram, Lillian (Logen), Michael Flores, Brynn, Max and Tyler. Survived by 16 great grandchildren. Brother of Raymond, Mary Ann Jeffrey, Rev. Thomas and the late Dorothy Ketterer, Robert, Frank, William, Jeanne Brady and Charles Wopperer. Family and friends may call on Wednesday and Thursday July 26 & 27 from 4-8pm at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME 3070 Delaware Ave. Kenmore NY 14217. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday July 28 at St. Joseph Cathedral Church, 50 Franklin St. Buffalo, NY 14202 at 9:30am. Please assemble at church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wopperer Tuition Scholarship Fund c/o St. Joseph Collegiate Institute or Canisius College. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com.