Sen. Michael O'Pake, longest-serving Pa. legislator, dies of heart-surgery complications

[Freddie Stubbs]

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Sen. Michael O'Pake, the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, has died.

The 70-year-old O'Pake died Monday morning at Reading Hospital and Medical Center of complications from heart-bypass surgery on Nov. 22, said an aide, Jim Hertzler.

O'Pake, a Democrat from Berks County, was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1968 and to the state Senate four years later.

As the first chairman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, he helped write the Child Protective Services law that helps victims of child abuse and was a leading advocate of the state's Children's Health Insurance Program. He also fought for legislation that created the state Department of Aging and separate offices of aging in every county.

more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-opake-death-122710,0,6958315.story