Terry Opacic RIP ...

[Clarets4me]

Sad to learn recently of the passing of Terry " Hoppa " Opacic at the age of 62 ...

Mrs " Clarets4me " and I worked with Terry at Lloyds Bank on Hargreaves Street in the late 1980's, and he and his wife Linda were great company. Terry went to St Theodores and played for Burnley & Lancashire Schoolboys u19's ( 1977-78 ) before going on to Teacher training College, where he suffered a bad injury at which point he left and went to work for the Bank. He was diagnosed with MS in his early thirties, and worked on as long as he could before having to retire. He bore his illness with humour & great courage, and Linda was an absolute rock for him ...

Thoughts are with Linda, Claire, David and all his family XX

[Steve1956]

RIP...62 no age at all

[Bosscat]

RIP

[Bigbopper]

That's sad and only 62. RIP

[Tricky Trevor]

RIP. Condolences to family and friends.

[ClaretTony]

I saw he obituary in the Burnley Express a couple of days ago. I met him donkeys years ago but can't say I really knew him. Good footballer if I recall.

MS is a strange illness in that it can progress differently from one person to another. I had a family friend who died from it after years in a wheelchair. A lad who worked for me was diagnosed with MS and didn't live much longer, he'd have only been in his early 40s. Either way, it's another horrible debilitating illness.

RIP

[basil6345789]

RIP Terry. Good footballer, good man. Thinking of the family.

[Woody9229]

Well that is sad news to hear. Played with Terry at St Teds. He was one of about 5/6 players moved up from the year below. We weren't best pleased as they were taking ours or our mates places but in truth they were all excellent additions and turned us in to one of the schools better teams winning a lot of trophies. Terry was just a good lad as well as good footballer. Had a twinkle in his eye and played that way adding some much needed flair. Obviously I'm going to say 62 is no age as he was a year younger than me. Thoughts are with his family and friends.

[beddie]

My sincere condolences to his wife and family. Far too young at 62.

[Guich]

Terry was a kind man, a very good footballer and a tough cookie who fought his illness, always with his trademark humour. He was a Claret through and through and loved to talk about his beloved Burnley at every opportunity.

RIP Terry

[IanMcL]

Appalling at such a young age. Condolences to the family.

[FCBurnley]

Just way too many people dying way too young

Deepest condolences to all the friends and family

[crundale]

Knew Terry well, and agree with all of the above. A thoroughly decent bloke and as brave as they come. Supported and cared for, for many years, by the wonderful Linda who
I met in 1964, at St Johns Ivy Street. RIP mate. Xx

[CaptainKirk]

Heard this news over the weekend. Very sad to hear.
Saw quite a lot of him for a time many years ago. One abiding memory, although my memory is not great, is me and him doing Karaoke, Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" with various wives and friends as our backing group. We thought we were great but probably sounded terrible.
Lost track years ago but remember a decent bloke and a good footballer and this is way too young.
RIP Terry and thoughts with his family.

[Tribesmen]

Yep i was at the same schools as he was at the same time just know the name but can't for the life of me remember him .

[Big Vinny K]

Few years older than me but he was well known at St Teds for being a very good player.
Played against him in later years and still a really good player - didn’t know he had suffered a bad injury.
Hoppa seemed to be known by so many people in Burnley and was a really popular lad.

Thoughts with his family and friends

[Clarets4me]

Heard this news over the weekend. Very sad to hear.
Saw quite a lot of him for a time many years ago. One abiding memory, although my memory is not great, is me and him doing Karaoke, Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" with various wives and friends as our backing group. We thought we were great but probably sounded terrible.
Lost track years ago but remember a decent bloke and a good footballer and this is way too young.
RIP Terry and thoughts with his family.

Thought you'd have some memories Cap'n ... Kirks, Doneys, Opacics & Rawsons some great times, where's 30 odd years gone ?

[Jel]

Was he related to Hoppa the doorman?

[crundale]

Younger brother.

[crundale]

Younger brother.

[CaptainKirk]

Thought you'd have some memories Cap'n ... Kirks, Doneys, Opacics & Rawsons some great times, where's 30 odd years gone ?

Years seem to go by quicker each time - it's frightening.
Started making strange noises when I get up from chairs and visiting the loo during the night.
I work with people who were born after the Millennium for God's sake!
Managed to keep my youthful good looks though.

[Jamesy]

Was he related to Hoppa the doorman?

Was Hoppa the doorman called Mick Opacic?

[longsidetrumpet]

Was Hoppa the doorman called Mick Opacic?

No, Dave. Terry played for my Sunday League team a handful of times. A good footballer and a lovely man. Hadn’t seen him for a long long time

[Clarets4me]

When working with Terry, I suspect he set a new record in dictating the shortest letter in Banking history ... our branch had the honour of holding Terry's brothers account, and one day, his brother's name appeared on our " Daily out of order " list ie: Accounts that were over any agreed "facilities " . Upon seeing this, Terry dictated a letter into his dictaphone machine ...

An hour or so later, we all jumped when one of the senior typists, a formidable lady called Barbara Evans, shouted across at Terry, " You can't send this ! " .... " Of course I can " replied Terry ... Barbara was shocked " What !! " Dear David, Pay in !!, Yours faithfully, T. Opacic " ... are you serious ? "

[Croydon Claret]

This is indeed very sad news.

He was so young when he was diagnosed and it was a real shock that somebody with so much talent, and such zest for life, could be cut down in his prime.

To say that he was confident and mature beyond his years would be quite a large understement. We can only imagine how far his career would have taken him had fate not dealt him that cruel blow.

I knew him as I also worked at Lloyds in the 80s and 90s, which means that I also now know who Mr and Mrs clarets4me are...

Must be at least 25 years since I last saw you

Say hello to Mrs clarets4me please, hope you're both doing ok. I last bumped into her many years ago when she had not long started at M&S. Miss those days of lunches in the Big Window, whilst updating the Fantasy Football scores from the Telegraph.

(I'm Graham)

[Clarets4me]

This is indeed very sad news. He was so young when he was diagnosed and it was a real shock that somebody with so much talent, and such zest for life, could be cut down in his prime.

To say that he was confident and mature beyond his years would be quite a large understement. We can only imagine how far his career would have taken him had fate not dealt him that cruel blow. I knew him as I also worked at Lloyds in the 80s and 90s, which means that I also now know who Mr and Mrs clarets4me are... Must be at least 25 years since I last saw you

Say hello to Mrs clarets4me please, hope you're both doing ok. I last bumped into her many years ago when she had not long started at M&S. Miss those days of lunches in the Big Window, whilst updating the Fantasy Football scores from the Telegraph. (I'm Graham)

Good to hear from you " Croydon " ( GS ) ... hope you're keeping well and Mrs C4me sends her very best ..

[Clarets4me]

It was Terry's funeral today at Burnley Crematorium, which was very well attended.
His wife Linda let me know that she'd read this thread, and thanks you all for your kind words and condolences ....