Richard E. "Dick" Japko

RICHARD E. JAPKO "DICK" AGE: 80 FORMERLY OF WHIPPANY Richard E. Japko "Dick", 80, of Fairfield, formerly of Whippany, passed away at Care One in Livingston on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Born and raised in Whippany, Dick had lived in Fairfield for the past 40 years. He was a sergeant in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. After leaving the Army in 1953, Dick participated in the family business, "Mary's Lunch Room" in Whippany and later established Dick's Catering Service. He then went to work as a sheet metal worker with P. Fritze and Sons in Whippany and later Westfield Sheet Metal Inc. Dick had been a member of the Whippany Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 155 where he had served two times as commander, and was also active with the American Legion baseball program. Dick enjoyed fishing, baseball, auto racing, gardening and cooking. He was loved by many and will be missed. Dick was the beloved husband of the late Marilyn "Lynn". He is survived by his children, Ruthanne Della Serra and husband Nino, Richard Japko, Jr and wife Corinne, and Theresa Japko. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael and Michelle; his first wife, Ruth, as well as Lynn's children, Roslyn and John. A Funeral Celebrant Service will be held at Bradley-Braviak Funeral Home, 49 Whippany Rd, Whippany on Wednesday, April 28th at 11:00am. Interment will follow at gate of Heaven Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm, and on Wednesday from 10-11am prior to the service. For further information or to send a condolence, go to www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to the American Legion Post 155 Scholarship Fund, 13 Legion Pl, Whippany, NJ 07981.