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John Kripas Obituary
John was born on Nov. 12, 1929, in Hartford, the son of the late Mattias and Theodora (Bajels) Kripas.
John attended Marianapolis Prepatory School and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1954, where he was a brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was an outstanding football player, earning many accolades and achievements, which led to a stint playing semi-pro football. John also served in the armed forces as a first lieutenant.
He retired after 35 years from General Dynamics. John used his retirement to pursue the things he loved the most. His days were spent inciting political strife between his closest friends, solving Soduku down at Fort Trumbull, and lounging in the sun at either Misquamicut Beach or at home on the back deck with his dog, Grumbles. John was truly one of the good guys! He was a selfless, giving, charitable man who would help in anyway he possibly could.
He is survived by his daughter, Karyn and her husband, David, and grandchildren, Eric and Raegan Garside; his son, Kirk and his wife, Debbie, and grandchildren, Brenten and Anna Kripas; his brother, Michael and his wife, Bea, and their three children. He also leaves behind his "real family", the Flanders Pizza crew and East Lyme Burger King breakfast gang.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Angela Marie Giordano. They were married in New London on Oct. 31, 1959.
He lived by his motto, "Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy life!"
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 10, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. The funeral will assemble at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home and proceed to St. Joseph Church, 17 Squire St., New London, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Jefferson Ave., New London.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution in John's memory be made to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut.
To view Mr. Kripas' online video tribute or to send online condolences, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kripas
Erica Joseph Hunter
December 13, 2012
My sincerest condolences to the Garside/Kripas families. Your video was really moving. I love the old pictures taken at Ocean Beach. They reminded me of some of my fondest childhood memories- Mr. Kripas taking Karyn and I to the beach in that gigantic old blue convertible. I'm truly sad for your loss, and you're in my thoughts and prayers. Love,
Erica Joseph Hunter
Lee Cornish-Muller
December 13, 2012
Karyn, I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I speak not just for myself but for all of the Board of Directors and we pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief.
We send you thoughts of comfort. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Lee
Donna Bienkowski Smith
December 13, 2012
So sorry for your loss Karyn and family
Alex Papathanasiou
December 11, 2012
Karyn,
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May his memory be eternal.
December 10, 2012
Karyn and family,
My deepest sympathy go out to you and your family at this time of loss. Always a wave and a smile from your dad as he was hopping in or out of his "hot rod" or walking briskly by. Without a doubt, he is re-united with your Mom...didn't she have an electric blue car? convertible at that? for some reason I have a memory of this. If my memory serves me correctly, they will, together, be painting the sky blue. Your friend, ann b.
December 10, 2012
Raegan, I'm so sorry of the loss of your grandfather. I know you loved him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Evelyn Flynn
December 10, 2012
Sorry to hear about John. He was a very nice person.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Russ and Nicki giordano
Rick Watrous
December 10, 2012
Kirk and the Kripas Family- I have many fond memories of your Dad. I will miss his gentle nature, wit, and great sense of humor (usually a Kirk's expense). Back in the day-I was always amused to listen to Mr. Kripas give Kirk a hard time; all in good fun. This was usually the morning after Kirk had a night out and was a little under the weather. Mr. Kripas would throw out a wise comment at Kirk, and Kirk would do his best to fire one back. Knowing full well he was doing, Mr. Kripas would look at me and we'd both laugh; then I would chime in to instigate with Kirk further. We both loved giving Kirk a hard time, all in good fun. I'll miss you Mr. Kripas- Rest in Peace.
Bruce Wadleigh
December 10, 2012
Kripas family, I am so sorry to read of your dad's passing. I worked alongside your dad at the Grotto. We had so many good times especially when your dad, myself and Spike Zingus worked the back bar. So many times i had tears coming out of my eyes from laughing so hard working with both of them. John and i used to play so many pranks on Spike it was unreal. The only problem i had with your dad was keeping up with him. Will never forget the peroggies he used to have in his mouth all the time. May he rest in peace.
Rick Maurice
December 10, 2012
we are so sorry for your loss love the Maurice's
Kate Dawley
December 10, 2012
Kirk, Debbie and the Kripas family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Sincerely,
Kate and Keith Dawley
December 10, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Laura Citrak
December 10, 2012
Karyn,
I was so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.
Keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Peter Lampasona Jr
December 10, 2012
Karyn,
Mike's, Ryans, Destinee's and my thoughts are with you and your family during this time or sorrow.
December 10, 2012
Karyn, your dad was an amzing man and very lucky to have you. JQ will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Carole & Holly
Kevin Bentley
December 10, 2012
Karyn, Kirt and family, sorry for your loss. I remember your dad from his days at EB and how he always had a smile.
Martha Jacques
December 10, 2012
I met John when we both worked at The Grotto many years ago. We used to laugh a lot and then discovered we shared the same birthday, November 12th. Years later I met his daughter, Karyn, and in conversation we discovered that she is John's daughter. Small world. A nicer man you couldn't find. My sincere sympathy to John's family.
Jim and Cora Rogers
December 10, 2012
He was deeply loved and and will be greatly missed by all of us. Rest in peace. You were a man we all deeply respected and loved.
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