Joe and Connie Lippo with the Wonder Twins, Skyy and Joey.
Wolf Nation took a major hit Wednesday with the sudden passing of Joe Lippo.
The father of Coupeville High School grads Skyy and Joey, he and wife Connie could be found at nearly every game or activity their children participated in during their time as Wolves.
Tennis, baseball, basketball, and dance — if his offspring was burning up the court or stage, Joe was front and center for it.
And that carried over to both home and road, as I climbed into a car and bounced down the backroads of America with him more than once as we chased (or passed) Wolf busses.
He was fervent in his support of both his own kids, and their classmates as well, and not shy about showing it.
Joe, a Navy man through and through and damn proud of it, was also a HUGE hockey fan, and would gladly tell you why the Detroit Red Wings ruled and anyone else who picked up a stick drooled.
Michigan football and crew of any kind — he was a high school rower of some renown — were also high on his list of approved topics for discussion.
When Coupeville sisters Sophie and Lucy Sandahl began their run with the Seattle Pacific University crew team, you would have thought Joe was directly related to them, as he gushed non-stop about their adventures.
While also gently guiding me when I used incorrect terms for the sport or failed to comprehend the glory and magnificence of oars hitting the water in unison with the first rays of sunshine.
Over the years, Joe was a fountain of opinions, a big-time supporter of my blogging efforts, and an excellent way to tell if my words were hitting right.
Even after his kids graduated and moved on to college, he and Connie popped into games on a semi-regular basis.
He helped me hold up the back wall of the gym at countless events, and he will be missed.
Next time I’m at a game, I will hear Joe’s words, usually delivered while giving me some side-eye.
“Why are you scribbling on a note pad, Svien? Get with the modern age and get a tablet!
“Now eat your hot dog … I didn’t buy it for you so it could sit there and get cold.
“And talking about cold, when are you going to start writing about hockey like a real writer????”
Dude was one of a kind.
“Are you still wearing shorts, Svien? Adults wear jeans.”
To help the family:
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/mo8z13
Veterans Legacy Memorial:
Coupeville Sports 