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FUNERAL HOME

Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc. - Rochester

1411 Vintage Lane

Rochester, New York

John Cipolla Obituary

Name: Visitation for John Cipolla
Start: 2017-09-15T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc. - Rochester

Cipolla, John J.

Greece: September 12, 2017, at the age of 95. John is predeceased by his wife, Mary Cipolla. He is survived by his children; John (Toni) Cipolla, Debbie Cipolla & Anthony Cipolla; grandchildren, Tina (Bob) Youst & Michelle (Jose) Aponte; great-grandchildren, Josh, Antonio, Brianna & Alexa; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Jennie Fonte & Terry Spinelli. John was an Army veteran, serving during WWII. To light a candle of remembrance, visit www.bartolomeo.com

John's visitation will be held 4-8 PM on Friday at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30AM on Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Church, 2400 West Ridge Rd. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Sep. 14, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Cipolla

Sponsored by Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc. - Rochester.

21 Entries

Marie Hélène QUILLOU

April 20, 2025

Nous avons connu John en Normandie pour le 70 ème anniversaire du débarquement ou j ai pris une superbe photo de John avec ma fille Océane.
Nous pensons beaucoup à lui comme dit Océane il est avec les étoiles .
Hélène Franck et Oceane

Nico Krause

October 28, 2018

I met Mr. Cipolla when I was 10, I love reading about WWII and my mom found him through Facebook I think and got me a meeting with him. I will never forget how nervous I was, I was shaking the whole time, and a while afterward. He was so kind, he brought me to his room full of his artifacts and he told me about his time serving as a paratrooper. He told me the story of when he and his buddy were in Bastogne and he and his buddy, Simmons, were in a foxhole and the 4th armored pulled up in their tanks. Then General Patton himself got out of the vehicle and asked his buddy what he was doing in a whole, his buddy responded, "if you were here sir, you'd still be digging". John the asked Simmons if he knew who he was talking to, and he said no, so John told him he was talking to Patton. I thought that was the funniest thing ever. He was such a nice guy and I talked to him for over an hour. I came and visited again with a plate of banana bread. This time I wasn't so nervous. I interviewed him on my original iPod touch, and still have the recording. That day he also gave me a part of his parachute from Holland, a supply parachute from Holland, and a signed copy of his book. He was the nicest guy ever. I gifted him a model of a British airborne soldier, he was one of the little Airfix guys. A year and a half later I painted a 101st airborne soldier and gave him a nice base, it was one of those model soldier kits. I planned to give it to him, but we had moved to Pennsylvania, and I couldn't get in touch with him properly. I never got a chance to give him it. Two years after I met him I traveled to Normandy, if I was interested in WWII before I met him, I was obsessed with it after it. I traveled to Utah beach and went to all the museums there. I also traveled to Bastogne to find the tree that was planted there for him that he told me about. I remembered searching for hours and hours to find it, it was a very big forest. I sent him back many pictures and a bottle of whisky shaped like a paratrooper boots that I found in a shop in St. Mere Eglise. This man was so inspirational to me and really got me interested in history and scale model making, two hobbies that I still enjoy very much today. He is the reason why I memorized the song, Blood on the Risers, front to back, top to bottom. The reason I have a whole room dedicated to model making, a WWI style trench in my back yard. As well as many more things. The world has lost a great man, and a great smile. I know I only met you twice, but those were the two most memorable times I have had in those short nine months that I lived in Rochester for the second time. I want to end with this quote, "In peace may you leave the shore. In love may you find the next. Safe passage on your travels until our final journey on the ground... May we meet again." -The 100. May we meet again Mr. Cipolla, may we meet again.

Wesley Geer

November 15, 2017

John was a kind and gentle man. It was hard envisioning him being a combat veteran by his demeanor. Truly a great man and all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude. I will never forget him and will always be grateful that our paths crossed. He enlightened many generations by guest speaking about his experiences. He spoke to my classes many times and was very approachable. I regret I didn't hear of his passing so I could have been more timely in my response. Rest well my friend.

Pat

September 19, 2017

May you find strength and peace by pouring out your emotions to God in prayer.

Tucker Callan

September 17, 2017

Where is The Prince, Who Can So Afford to Blanket His Country With Troops For Its Defense;
Where As TEN THOUSAND Men Are Descending From The Clouds...
Oh, What Mischief They Could Cause.
Oh, What A Force It Would Take To Repel Them!!!

Ben Franklin

Cynthia Utic

September 16, 2017

RIP. Love that smile of yours.

Mary Ellen Wichman

September 16, 2017

John always had a smile on his face, he was a gentle soul. I will miss seeing his smile every morning. Rest in Peace and Thank you for your service, you are a hero. Blessing to the family, especially his daughter who we all came to know, she also was like her Dad...kind hearted. Sincerely, Mary Ellen

John Cannon

September 15, 2017

I did not know Mr. Cipolla but anyone who was a paratrooper during WWII has my respect. Mr. Cipolla is a real hero and a great American. God only knows that we need more Mr. Cipolla's and less people complaining about everything from the time they get up in the morning till bedtime.
What a remarkable man!! May god bless the Cipola family.

Mary Beauchamp

September 15, 2017

To the Cipolla family: I'm sorry for your loss of John. My father was a member of the Genesee Valley chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Veterans with him. I enjoyed seeing him at their functions, and know that he personified the Greatest Generation. You're in my prayers.

Tucker Callan

September 15, 2017

"A Hero is a Man of Great Strength and Courage;
Favored by The Gods.
And in Part, Descended from Them!!"

Johnny told me the story of when he was at one of those Normandy reunions, when these young troopers were strutting around like Bantey Roosters. One of them said "Hey old dude, wanna jump with us?" Johnny said "Naw, you young whipper snaps will get me hurt". A crowd was gathering, when the brash young trooper said. "Are you scared?" -- "How many jumps you made?" Johnny replied "Only Two" then we got surrounded for a while. Oh Yeah, where was all that? -- We Jumped at Normandy (his plane was shot down after he went through the door, -- in the Cornelius Ryan book, A BRIDGE TOO FAR pg. 213 then Holland (almost landed on a cow). Then the Battle of the Bulge. You could hear a pin drop after that exchange!
This World needs more guys like Johnny Cipolla
ALL THE WAY

John and Nancy Letta

September 15, 2017

John and Toni: We are so sorry for your loss. We feel horrible that we are unable to be at your Dad's visitation. Sincerely our condolences.

Jill Weber

September 14, 2017

Toni--My sympathy to you, your husband and family. I talked to John every time I visited my mother-in-law at GrandeVille. I'll miss seeing him!

Fred and Rachel Mullinax

September 14, 2017

It was an honor and privilege to know John Cipolla. His service to country and his fundamental decency were inspirational to all who knew him. May he Rest In Peace. We will never forget him.

Todd Fusilli

September 14, 2017

Johnny, I know you are up there with Sue and everyone else sitting on a porch laughing and catching up. The greatest thing I stumbled on was the estate sale at your house and I bought a few things that I know mattered to you.

I will keep them for my lifetime and I our times with everyone on Creekmeadow lane on your porch laughing is in the highlight reel of my life. Thank you for being my friend, I was and still am honored.

Kevin Brown

September 14, 2017

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God speed.

Catherine Billitier

September 14, 2017

Tony - So sorry to hear about your dad. What a proud legacy he leaves behind. You will be forever changed but have these memories to get you through the days ahead.

Maureen Fodge

September 14, 2017

I want to say thank you to the family, that had a Dad that with great pride served our country to keep it free. God Bless John, he is now in heaven with my Dad.

September 14, 2017

So very sorry for your loss.2THESSALONIANS 2:17,SAYS:GOD WILL COMFORT YOUR HEARTS AND MAKE YOU FIRM IN EVERY GOOD DEED AND WORD.

Ken Andrews

September 14, 2017

John's impact will be forever remembered. He was a true American hero.

Heather Chang

September 14, 2017

We lost a true hero yesterday. My Grandpa Carrozzi's best friend from childhood, Johnny Cipolla, went to the recruiting office with my Grandpa to sign up to fight in World War II. Grandpa told me that when they got there, Johnny pointed to a poster depicting paratroopers jumping from a plane and said, "That's what I'm gonna do. You comin'?" My Grandpa, who didn't much care for heights said, "No way, you're crazy," and ended up driving tanks during the war. They remained best friends, and Johnny was like a surrogate uncle to me. The sacrifice, courage, and dignity that my grandparents' generation lived with is beyond my comprehension, and is something that I fear is in jeopardy in our modern world. I will always respect the experiences they endured. And Johnny, now you and Grandpa can have that drink: Dewars with a twist, wasn't it?
Rest well, hero. And thank you. ❤

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