Patrick John Ripko

Patrick John Ripko

April 30, 1974 - April 21, 2024

Denver, CO - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Patrick John Ripko just nine days shy of his 50th birthday.

Born April 30, 1974 in Annapolis, MD to John (Rip) and Margaret (Peggy) Ripko, Patrick was a loving father, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Patrick will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Patrick's greatest pride was being a father. His love for his boys was unconditional, fierce, and full of play. He taught them how to swing a golf club, build monster truck tracks in the dirt, create dams in the creek, and to burp entire sentences. He showed them what love looked like - in action, time, and presence.

Patrick was born at the Naval Academy because of his dad's career in the Air Force. This would lead to Patrick moving about every three years until he was in junior high. His childhood took him from Maryland to Denver, CO to San Vito, Italy to Grand Forks, ND to Yuba City, CA and before settling back in Denver, CO in 1986. As a youth he was involved in Little League baseball, Cub Scouts, soccer, and track and field, and he also had a newspaper route as a youth.

Patrick spent his teen years in and around Denver, CO with his family home in Centennial, CO. He graduated from Smoky Hill High School in 1993. While in high school ,Patrick thrived in the theater department. He was involved in all aspects of stage play, including set creation, acting, and directing-he truly did it all.

While in high school he worked at video rental stores, like Blockbuster. He mainly worked for locally owned shops, where his love for movies blossomed. After graduating high school, Patrick found his home inside restaurants and this is what he would call his career for almost the rest of his life. He spent time at many different kinds of restaurants, but some left more of an impression on him like; Armando's Pizzeria, The Rocky Mountain Diner, Aurora Summit Steak House, Red Robin, The Till, and Paravicini's.

Patrick had a spark you couldn't ignore. Tall, charming, and sharp-witted, he carried a presence that lit up every space he entered. With his mischievous grin, curly hair (in the early years), and twinkling blue eyes, he embodied the playful spirit of his Irish roots.

Patrick was always someone who preferred to be outdoors. As a child, he was more fond of playing in the yard exploring than he was inside with his toys. Throughout his life he would hone his passion for nature. Camping with his dad and two brothers was the beginning, but it led to tubing down the South Platte River, camping around Deckers, CO, skiing and then snowboarding around the Rocky Mountains. Keystone, Loveland, Breckenridge, A-Basin, Crested Butte and Copper Mountain were his favorites, but anywhere with a lift and some snow and he was good to go. He also spent many winter seasons mastering the slopes in Utah.

Patrick is survived by his two children, Finnegan 'Finn' and Cormack 'Mack', his mother, Margaret "Peggy', ex-wife, Lauren Womochil Ripko; his siblings, Michael (Peggy), Edward 'Ted' (Emily), and Megan (Benjamin); and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, John 'Rip', uncle, James Conway; grandparents, John & Audrey Ripko, Thomas & Marie Conway & his great grandmother, Katherine McCaw (Patrick was always her favorite).

"May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight."

Patrick is remembered in the laughter of his sons and in the memories he created with family and friends. He lives on in Finnegan's resilience, in Cormack's humor, and in the countless inside jokes he left behind.

To honor his memory, we ask that you please donate to the Alzheimer's Association or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.