John J. Lapina Jr.

1969 - 2023

John Jacob Lapina Jr. 54, of Louisville, Ky., passed away Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. John was the first child born to Rose and John Lapina Sr. in Jeannette, March 22, 1969. After graduating as Valedictorian of his class at Jeannette Senior High School, he attended the United States Naval Academy for engineering in Annapolis, Md. Following his graduation from USNA in 1991, he proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the Navy for eight years. During that time, he married his high school sweetheart, Christine, and moved to Chesapeake, Va., where they had their son, Matthew. He obtained his master's degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in 1998. When John left the Navy for civilian life in 1999, he and his family moved to Louisville, where he accepted a position as an engineer in the appliance division for General Electric. Their daughter, Erica, was then born in 2004. John continued his career with GE for nearly 24 years, where he most recently was the engineering director-cross platform for GE Appliances, a Haier Company. In his free time, John enjoyed playing golf. He also liked watching Formula 1 car racing and football. He particularly loved it when Navy beat Army. John is a survived by his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Christine; son, Matthew (Kieli); daughter, Erica; parents, John and Rose Lapina, of Irwin; sister, Jennifer Reece (Chris), of Streetsboro, Ohio; brother, Anthony Lapina (Amanda), of Valencia, Pa.; parents-in-law, Robert and Susan Stoltz, of Jeannette; sister-in-law, Lauren Berkshire (Scott), of Canonsburg; and brother-in-law, Stephen Stoltz (Michelle), of Cranberry. He was also a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Ratterman Brothers Louisville East Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, Louisville. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 212 Mt. Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley, Ky. Burial will be at Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood, Ky. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to donate to Volunteers of America, Kentucky and USA Cares, Kentucky.