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Fair winds and following seas, Joe Lippo

Posted in In memory, tagged in memory, Joe Lippo, Michigan, US Navy, Wolf Nation on February 29, 2024| 1 Comment »

He was an American hero and a rascal, all in one.

Joe Lippo, who we lost last week, had a sterling career with the United States Navy.

He also propped up the back wall at countless Coupeville games with me, at home and on the road, delivering a patented mix of wisdom, sarcasm, and guff about the fact I was still wearing shorts year round at my age.

“It’s not that I care about whether you’re cold or not, Svien … I just don’t wanna spend the next two hours and change staring at your knobby knees.”

As Wolf Nation mourns the loss of one its most unique members, a remembrance from his family:

Joseph Lloyd Wesley Lippo, born July 8, 1969, in Wyandotte, Michigan to Joseph and Doris Lippo, passed away February 21, 2024.

Joe married Connie Sue Hayes on November 22, 1997.

He was a very proud veteran. He served 20 years in the Navy from 1987 when he graduated from Mount Carmel High School until his retirement in 2007.

He earned his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Intelligence Studies from American Military University.

During his career in the Navy, Joe was involved in 800 missions in seven foreign wars.

Joe had several posts in various places including Moffet Field in California, Kadena Naval Air Station in Okinawa, Japan (where his twins Joey and Skyylynn were born) and Whidbey Island, Washington, where he permanently settled.

During his career he was awarded the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, among others.

Joe’s diverse interests included rowing, hockey (both playing and cheering for his favorite Red Wings team), motorcycle rides, and participating in the Navy shooting team where he garnered numerous awards.

Joe was very active in his local community.

He proudly and actively supported his children’s endeavors, attending their tennis, baseball, hockey, basketball, and dance events.

Joe is survived by his wife, Connie; children Joey Lippo, Skyylynn Lippo, Daryl Skvarla, Corrin Skvarla; grandchildren Jonathan, Addilyn, Aiden, Ariya, Paisley, CarliRae; parents Doris Lippo, Joseph and Sue Lippo; siblings Michael (Jennifer) Lippo, Christopher (Kate) Lippo, Nathan (Laura) Lippo, Emilie (Shawn) Roper; aunts, uncles, cousins, military family, and too many friends to count.

He was preceded in death by his nephew Joshua.

Joe will be laid to rest at the Great Lakes National cemetery in Michigan at a date to be determined. In the meantime, please visit his memorial wall at:

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JOSEPHLWLIPPO/a5e4e4

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Wolf Nation loses a real one

Posted in In memory, tagged CHS Wolves, Detroit Red WIngs, in memory, Joe Lippo, Michigan on February 22, 2024| 1 Comment »

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.