John Edward Lipski

John Edward ("Ski") Lipski

formerly of Freehold

John Edward ("Ski") Lipski, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in St. Patrick's Hospital with his daughter and a dear family friend by his side. John, born Nov. 22, 1936, in Freehold, N.J. to Rose Eleanor and John Walter Lipski, spent his entire childhood in Freehold with his twin sister, Eleanor. The twins had a loving and supportive bond with each other and were surrounded by a vivacious and loving family. After graduating from Freehold High School, John and several classmates attended Upper Iowa University on football scholarships. Following their first season, John led a panty raid on the girls' dormitory. John and all accomplices lost their scholarships and were kicked out of school. While waiting to enter the Marine Corps, John spent a semester at the University of Maryland. In the mid 1950's, John entered the Marine Corps; he was originally stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and later at Parris Island, S.C. He played football for the Marines and while stationed at Parris Island, he served as a military policeman. He was proud of his military service and led his life by the Marine ideals and standards. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, John came to Montana to visit a Marine friend who was attending the University of Montana. He loved the area so much he returned to New Jersey only to visit family. While attending the University of Montana himself, John tended bar at the Gay 90's, Florence Hotel and Stockman's Bar. Many of the friends John made in these early days remained friends until the end. One winter day in 1963, John offered to help a well-dressed, elder woman across the snowy street. John was always well-dressed himself and wore wing tip shoes even in inclement weather. Despite the chivalry, he ended up slipping and it was this woman who saved him from falling. When he stopped by her office to thank her for the assistance across the street, he saw her daughter, Chari working in the office. Unbeknownst to him, the woman who helped him across the street, Ivah Schmitz, would become his beloved future mother-in-law as John and Chari wed in 1964. About the same time, he took a job at Western Montana Bank, where he worked for 13 years. He was known for his hard work, as well as antics, in the workplace. Always full of good humor and having a story to tell, the bank years were filled with wonderful friendships and memories. Chari and John had two children together, John Joseph ("Joe") and Angela Rae, whom he adored and was immensely proud of. In 1978, John and Chari bought Eastgate Liquor Store and Lounge, which he diligently ran for 22 years. One of his proudest moments of these years was the introduction of two people, Dennis Washington and then head coach Larry Donovan, and a deal that led to the creation of Washington Grizzly Stadium. He spent many seasons in the stadium and loved each game and the festive atmosphere of game day. In 2000, he sold the bar and started spending winters in Ocala, Fla., where he was able to reunite with old high school friends also in the area. Many will remember John for the smiles he brought to their faces, whether due to dismay or hilarity. He had a way of getting complete strangers in foreign countries to give him a lick of their ice cream cone or becoming friends with someone he met on a shuttle bus from the airport. He always remembered the generosity anyone showed him and recounted those stories over and over. He was a old school traditionalist who didn't like change, loved Frank Sinatra ("I Did It My Way") and Louis Armstrong ("What a Wonderful World") and couldn't believe the magic of the internet world. He was a Marine through and through.

John is survived by his children, Joe and Angie (Dean Johnson); his twin sister, Eleanor Ward (Norman); and two nephews, Christopher (Jo Guelke) and Michael Thompson. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and his nephew, John Silvey Thompson III.

A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula, MT. A Catholic funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10 at St. Francis Xavier Church, with a reception immediately following at a location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Western Montana Humane Society or a charity of choice. Condolences can be left at missoulafuneralhomes.com.

We are honored to have had him in our lives and he will be missed as a father and brother and friend to all.