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Michael Ippolito Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Ippolito
Doreen
August 27, 2024
Michael was the nicest person anyone could ever meet.From all of us at Acushnet River Antiques.He will always be remembered.
Loretta Warabow
August 20, 2022
As teenagers Mike and I were boyfriend/girlfriend. One winter walking me home, taking a short cut across "the muck" which was frozen over, I fell down when my left leg disappeared down into an ice hole. I'll always remember how hard Mike and I both laughed. He had the greatest laugh! That incident and Mike have always been pleasant memories. I was just now thinking about him and googled his name. I'm sorry to learn he passed away some time ago. Rest in peace gentle Mike.
Acushnet River Antiques
September 1, 2021
We all miss Michael.He will always be remembered as one of our favorites.Great guy
2021
Kimberly Morse
August 26, 2020
I cannot believe it has been 4 years since I last heard your laugh, got an Ippa hug, or just sat on the porch talking. I miss you, and can't imagine what Donna, Lydia and Gavin feel everyday, especially today. You are always in the hearts of those you love! Say hi to Hawkie for me!
Earl Bordeaux
August 12, 2019
You'll be missed
September 16, 2016
All of us at Acushnet River Antiques will miss Mike his was a delightful customer always smiling and happy a joy to wait on
Linda McCann
September 10, 2016
What a great guy, Mr Ippolito was my driving teacher at BHS Class of 76, the patience well I got my license on the 1st try! My deepest condolences to his family he will be sorely missed.
Diana Gallagher
September 9, 2016
A wonderful caring gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him.
Kimberly Morse
September 9, 2016
Ippa was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a loving and devoted husband to The Hawk, an amazing father who inspired Donna to achieve greatness and the shining example of what a grandparent should be to Lydia.
He was one of the funniest people I've ever met, and so are his golf buddies who I know will miss his laugh and viper wit.
He is now reunited with The Hawk and they are both smiling down on their family.
September 9, 2016
From the front of his classroom, he reached out and influenced so many of us.I know he saved me, gave me direction, and convinced me to remain in school. So grateful. A wonderful man.
FORMER STUDENT. AHS'60
September 8, 2016
mr.ippolito was one my teachers at BHS
he was one of the best.
michael adams
brockton ma
1990 green building
Kathryn Daversa
September 8, 2016
I remember Mike so well. I worked in the Athletics Dept. with Mike in my senior year 1971. what a year that was being the first year in the new high school. He was always to kind, generous and funny and all around great man. I have thought of him many times over the years. My deepest sympathy to his family. RIP Mr. Ippolito
Student-Teacher game, about 1960.
Dorothy Lockwood
September 7, 2016
Mr Ippolito was class adviser for the junior year of the Class of 1961 at Avon H.S.
Dorothy Lockwood
September 7, 2016
Allyson Morse
September 7, 2016
I will always remember Mr. Ippollito
He was my driver Ed teacher at Brockton high . He always smilied when I showed up and made me feel special . He sounds like the most interesting man in the world . A man with many talents.
My mom went to high school with him and remembers him on the football team .
My sister Kim always spoke highly of him . You are a great friend to her.
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family . I am sorry for your loss .
Gavin Kelley
September 6, 2016
Why will I always look up to Mike Ippolito? Simple. Because he was not only a genuine, compassionate and humble man, but an inadvertent role model for being a good person. He led a full and illustrious life. He was a football hero both at Brockton high school and Northeastern University, a tactical diver in the Navy, a beloved high school teacher for 35 years, and a bassist and singer for a successful live band for 27 years. I think doing the right and honorable thing came naturally to Mike, which is why he left an impact on students coming from tough circumstances. He was hard working, and one who never wanted to let on how much pain or suffering he was enduring. I imagined he either learned this through, or his character drew him to football. I never played football. But I came to understand that, aside from the excitement of camaraderie and competition, struggling through physically hits, pain and exhausting effort were part of the game. I think he drew on this through the hard periods in his life. He made the most of every downturn and he gravitated quickly back to a state of humor. To me, Mike had the same character trait and value of keeping a smile on his face and an easy laugh through adversity as one of my other favorite role models, Franklin Roosevelt.
I loved going through the old photos in his photo albums, because each told an amazing story. He was the five-year old caught in the front line stance with an old leather helmet. He was in the Brockton High and Northeastern football squad team photos and later as a football coach at Brockton High. He was the burly navy diver rowing a long boat for drills. He was the debonair upright bass player in the mid 1960s. He was the groom in a solid white tux. My favorites were the pictures of the sixteen-year-old who, with 4 of his buddies cheering him on, decided to eat 10 sundaes at the local soda fountain. This gregarious teen drew the interest of local Brockton Enterprise photographer Stanley Bauman, who was well known for his photos of another Brockton hero, boxer Rocky Marciano. Stanley immortalized Mike's feat in a series of beautiful black and white photos that vividly captured the late 1940s look and age of innocence. One was published on the front page of the Brockton Enterprise. He loved to tell the story of what his mother said when she saw the front page article. His mother Regina could be strict: Some kids get in the newspaper for being on the honor roll. You get the front page for being a glutton!
He was the guy who worked 3 jobs, including night shifts at the VA hospital, while putting himself through college, starting a new family and paying for a new house.
I first met Mike as my future father-in-law after he had just retired from Brockton High School teaching and retired from playing in the Paul Smith Quartet. Mike, Donna, and I laughed many times about how, before we were engaged, he introduced me as Donna's fionsee at the first party to meet his close friends. When Donna ribbed him he said What does it mean? I thought it sounded impressive. How do you spell it?
I will never forget how he could keel over and go breathless with laughter at a good joke. He loved Rodney Dangerfield one-liners. Mike would draw cartoons of pivotal moments in his life. His nickname for his wife Lorraine was The Hawk, because she saw all and heard all that went on inside the house. When she came home from the hospital after her unfortunate fall and broken arm, his cartoon was an upright standing bird with a bandage over its wing and a cigarette hanging from her beak.
We also knew his love through his deeds. Each time we moved Lowell, Thousand Oaks, Austin and Andover - Mike searched his favorite co-ops and ferreted out some little antique treasure with the name of our new hometown.
Collecting books, prints and antique artifacts of the whaling era was his other passion. He and Lorraine would go on antiquing trips and shows together. I think his prize collection were the rare maritime books he kept in his study for decades. And he read those books! He had an amazing knowledge of the authors, subjects and ships of the New England sea trades from the whaling period. He would make connections between something written in one book and an old whaling ship manifest he would come across. In the late 80s he sold most of his collection to buy a much needed van for hauling band equipment and a sedan. Then, 20 years later, he rekindled this passion after Lorraine passed. We watched in amusement and amazement as the inside of their house transformed from the more feminine porcelain decorations to what could be described as an extension of the New Bedford whaling museum. He would say I'm nuts . . . crazy I tell you at his drive to seek and collect. Each time Donna, Lydia and I visited he would have a new story about his latest find. He would show us rare bottles of Nye whale oil and dozens of intricately carved ivory bodkins. He also loved whimsical pieces like whirligigs and teeter-totters and began to carve his own whimsical sea monster sculptures. I so enjoyed getting together with him to hear him recount his latest acquisition. It all came together like thousands of pieces to a grand puzzle.
My regret? I never got up the courage to call him Dad. I thought it would make him feel awkward, yet he was so much like a second Dad.
Do I feel like crying? Yes, frankly, a lot. I say cry on. The world has lost a true hero. But heaven has gained a great football player and teacher, a loving husband, and a kind compassionate soul. Rest in peace dear Dad.
Donna Kelley
September 6, 2016
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt condolences. It is so comforting to know how lovingly he was remembered. In deep appreciation, Donna (Mikes daughter)
Former Student...
September 6, 2016
My condolences to the Ippolito family.. such a wonderful Teacher... back in the day when the simulators were still in the classrooms he was my instructor... and I had opportunity to chat with him during hospital visits.. such a vibran man... even when he wasn't feeling well... God Bless Mr Ippolito... you left your mark..
September 6, 2016
Donna and family,
My sincere condolences upon Mike's death .i met him at BCC 20 years ago, was a regular golf partner and enjoyed playing with him more than anyone else. A great guy, lots a fun to be with both at BCC and Friday nights at the Cape Cod Cafe. I am thankful I saw him a week before he passed, he was in a good mood, we had many laughs and that's how I will remember one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever met.
Paul Moscardelli
Steve Stellakis
September 5, 2016
Ippolito family,
My condolences on your loss. Mr. Ippolito was one of my most influential teachers both in and out of the classroom. Possibly the most important lesson was how he carried himself; a true gentleman. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal.
September 5, 2016
I will never forget the night we were celebrating before we went to the school,committe meeting. Bill Mac Kinnon
Alice Hogan
September 5, 2016
Sorry to read of Mike's passing. Enjoyed teaching with him at BHS. Loved the closing of school gathering he and Lorraine had for a number of yrs.
RON MARRESE
September 5, 2016
I knew Mike for 40 years. He waa great guy and will be missed by everyone that he touched. Rest in peace.
1961 Mr. Ippolito was involved in putting on the Avon High School senior class play.
Dorothy (Allanbrook) Lockwood
September 4, 2016
Liz Cerullo
September 4, 2016
One of my favorite teachers at BHS! He really made a lasting impression on his students and will be fondly remembered. RIP Mr. Ipp!
Larry Gouldrup
September 4, 2016
One of those great guys you meet in life shared many a good time with him. God Bless
Lisa Landenberger
September 4, 2016
I had Mr. Ippolito in my Junior year for Drivers Ed. He was such a great teacher. My condolences to his family. He will be missed so much
At the class reunion for Avon H.S. class of 1961
Dorothy (Allanbrook) Lockwood
September 4, 2016
September 4, 2016
God Bless you Mr Ippolito.You were our Senior home room teacher at Avon High Class of 1960 and your very first class . Prayers to you and your family. Never forget you.
Ann Marie Woodcock Guillemette
Tom Cruise
September 4, 2016
Donna and family,
My deepest condolences and sympathy on the loss of your dear Dad. I had such fun playing golf with Mike in the gangbusters at BCC each morning over the past several years. He was a joy to be around and his wit, mild manner and wry smile made a day of golf with Mike extra special. It was a blessing to have visited him a few weeks ago and we laughed so much he had to hold his stomach. Truly, to know him was to love him. God bless.
Tom Cruise
Patrick Hennessey
September 4, 2016
M.r. Ipp I had at BHS nicest teacher by far .
Pat Barnes
September 4, 2016
A funny, kind, wonderful man!
Pat Barnes
Ron Hebshie
September 4, 2016
Mike: I:ll,always Remember the laughs we had at the Brockton country club. Your pal always Ron Hebshie Naples fla
Micheal Lombardo
September 4, 2016
A teacher resected by colleagues and students alike. It was a pleasure teaching alongside Mike and being able to share in his wit and knowledge. Sadly missed.
Lorraine Bell
September 3, 2016
Donna, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. I will always remember my Drivers Ed class with your Dad. He was so patient and kind and made me at ease and gave me confidence while learning to drive. I, also felt welcomed in your home in WB when we were teenagers by your Dad and Mom! Love, prayers and may God Bless your family. Lorraine (Getchell) Bell
Jim Dolan
September 2, 2016
He was always the "old man" to me on Friday nights at the Cape Cod Cafe. Many nights he was waiting for his friends to join him and I used to joke about his trying to get someone to sit at his table.
Frank Jardin
September 2, 2016
Michael, I was very proud to have you as a close friend. You made driving into Northeastern Univ. a happy experience. You made us laugh so much we thought that our jaws would be sore for the rest of the day.
You were one of a kind Mike and you made an impression on a lot of people and they were fortunate to have you as a friend.
Rest in peace friend, you certainly deserve it. May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
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