Frank J. Hripko

YOUNGSTOWN — Frank J.“Chief” Hripko, 97, was “called to bat” Sunday, Nov. 16, at 3:30 a.m., and he is headed home. Play ball!

Born Francis Michael Joseph Hripko Jan. 9, 1928, in Youngstown, the youngest of 12 children born to Martin and Maria Mary Martinko Chripko (later changed to Hripko). One brother died in 1920. Francis’ father died when Francis was just 7 years old, leaving his mother to raise 11 children during the Great Depression.

Known as “Chief” by family and friends, he helped his family from an early age. He attended Holy Name of Jesus School and Church, where he served as an altar boy. When not in school or playing baseball and football at Kocis, Borts and Volney fields, he collected rags to sell, chased down coal trains to gather coal for the family home, and cared for the family’s chickens.

Chief was a 1946 graduate of Chaney High School. Though considered too small for the school teams, he excelled on independent baseball and football teams. He was drafted during World War II while still a senior but received a deferment because he already had brothers serving at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima and the Battle of the Bulge — all of whom survived.

He met his future wife, Marie Dorothy “Peppy” Luchansky, in study hall when he was a senior and she was a junior. Drafted again in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, Chief and Peppy moved up their wedding and were married on the stage at Holy Name School because the church was undergoing renovation. He was deployed to Korea, but his unit was later reassigned to police the German–Russian borders.

Chief and Peppy returned home to raise their family. Their daughter, Marie Anne, died at birth in 1955, and their son, Mark John, died in 1968 at 6 months old. Their surviving daughter, Margaret — with whom he shared his home — returned to Youngstown in 2016 to help care for Peppy until her passing in 2017 and has remained with her father since.

Chief retired from GF Business Equipment in 1990 but continued to work odd jobs to stay active. He and Peppy vacationed every year and made many memorable trips, including to Hawaii, Mexico, the Super Bowl, the Rose Bowl and Parade, the New York World's Fair, Expo 67 in Montreal, and St. Anne de Beaupré every five years. They also enjoyed three unforgettable days at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, where Chief was a guest coach. A lifelong Cleveland Indians fan, Chief won Vindicator tickets and attended the 1948 World Series when the Indians defeated the Boston Braves, four games to two.

A devoted baseball enthusiast, Chief played AA ball until a collision at home plate — while he was catching — destroyed his knee. He then coached and managed several AA and CYO teams. Peppy later introduced him to golf, which he enjoyed well into his later years. He played in two leagues and served as a marshal at tournaments at Avalon Golf Course. Chief also bowled in men’s and couples leagues, enjoyed horse racing and casinos — especially roulette — and loved polka music, from Frankie Yankovic and Del Sinchak to the Chardon Polka Band. If there was a Slovak festival, he was there; if a polka was playing, he was tapping his feet.

Though born in the Depression, Chief did not live a depressing life — his was a life rich in family, friends and memories.

He leaves behind 37 nieces and nephews, 75 great-nieces and -nephews, numerous great-great-nieces and -nephews, and several great-great-great-nieces and -nephews. A special person in his later life was Delores, the second love of his life, with whom he enjoyed watching “Lawrence Welk” on Saturdays, sharing lunches, and savoring Handel’s ice cream.

Sincere words of gratitude go to the Veterans Administration, his doctors and staff at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland, and the doctors and staff at the Carl Nunziato VA Clinic on Belmont Avenue. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers from FirstLight Home Care — Kim, Stacey, Ashley and especially Mike Senchak.

There are no words to express the kindness, compassion and care he received from Lisa, his caregiver of four years. Additional thanks go to Buckeye Hospice for making his last days peaceful and comfortable — thank you, Kristen, and a super thank-you to Mimi, one in a million. One last shout-out goes to Nicole, his physical therapist from Expand Health.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations are requested and will be distributed equally to Chief’s selected veteran charities.

Family and friends may cheer him on during calling hours from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, and from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

A committal service with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Chief will be laid to rest beside his beloved Peppy.

His secret to 97 years? A shot and a beer everyday. Nazdravie!