John Louis Cipolla

John Louis Cipolla Naples, FL

John Louis Cipolla, 87, a great man, passed away on Friday, April 27, 2012 in his home in Naples, FL.

Known simply as "Pop Pop," John Louis Cipolla was born on November 18, 1924 in Clifton Heights, PA to Italian immigrants Pasquale and Concetta Cipolla, and was a Naples resident for more than 40 years.

John is best described as an ordinary person who bore witness to extraordinary events. Growing up in Ardmore, PA, John survived the trials and tribulations of the Great Depression and routinely offered stories of how his father, who worked as a pasta maker, single handed fed the entire neighborhood with generous donations of the spaghetti he would bring home to feed his own family.

John could not realize that the time he spent with an uncle experimenting with amateur radio could land him, after enlisting at the age of 18, the position of being General George Patton's "radio man" during the Second World War. John was credited with intercepting and translating a message that ultimately saved the capital city of Luxembourg from being bombed.

Honorably Discharged on November 1, 1945, his war accolades include being ceremoniously decorated with The European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Five Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and The American Theater Service Medal.

Described as a "Captain of the Carpet Industry," John opened the Cipolla Rug Company in Broomall, PA shortly after the war and has been credited with inventing many of the carpet installing and cleaning practices widely used today.

Also dabbling in the hotel business, John established The Lamp Post Motel on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ and, splitting time between the Philadelphia area and a home in Fort Lauderdale, a visit to Naples led him to purchase The Anchorage Motel in Old Naples in 1971, which he operated for 14 years.

Seeing the potential of buying and selling real estate in Southwest Florida early, John became a broker in Naples and was a member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors for many years.

His love of boating and fishing could only be surpassed by his passion for mastering the game of golf. John introduced the game to many people who credit him for making the game a lifelong sport. However, in his eyes, there was no time better spent than simply being in the company of his children and grandchildren.

John is survived by his children, John (Kristin) Cipolla, Dr. Leslie (Robert) Ricciardelli, Victoria Wadsworth, Timothy Brown; and his nine grand children, Tyler, Joshua, David, Austin, Jessica, Johnny Mac, Kyle, Lexi, and Kalee. He is also survived by his brother, Steve (Nancy) Cipolla, and their children, Debbie and Steve.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3rd at Hodges Chapel at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue North, Naples, where services will follow at 3:00 p.m.

Online condolences may be made at www.hodges fhatnaplesmg.com