Ralph Lippa

Lippa, Ralph

"Ralph the Barber" passed away at the age of 95 on July 28, 2025. He is survived by his daughter Patricia (John) Rybczak and son Peter; grandchildren Alexander (Jennifer) Rybczak, Dr. Cynthia (Mark) Gee, Kathryn (Constantine) Kapatos, and Elizabeth (Brian) Dell; great-grandchildren Olivia Gee, Jack Rybczak, Vito Rybczak, Spiros Kapatos, Louis Rybczak, Penelope Kapatos, Theodore Dell, and Thomas Dell.

Ralph was the youngest of 7 children, the son of Italian parents Francesca and Cesidio, who emigrated from Villavallelonga Italy.

He attended Madison High School, where he led Madison to a sectional basketball championship his senior year in 1949. That's also where he met his high school sweetheart, Eleanor, to whom he was married for 68 years until she passed in 2023. Nearly 70 years after graduating, Ralph was inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame at the age of 91.

After high school, Ralph enlisted in the US Navy, serving honorably from 1951-1954 during the Korean War.

Ralph showed his love and Italian pride through his cooking, making the best sauce and meatballs that fed his family and friends for more than 70 years.

He led a very active life, tending to his garden, walking the track at Roberts Wesleyan University, and swimming laps in his pool, where he taught his grandchildren to swim and where his great-grandchildren still love to play. Ralph and his wife Elly hosted countless get togethers, particularly 4th of July Celebrations, various holidays, and Sunday dinners. In addition, they loved traveling, especially to the Dominican Republic, often taking family and friends along with them. These events have made wonderful, lasting memories.

Most will remember Ralph as a barber, owning Ralph's Barbershop in Gates on Lyell Avenue for over 60 years, before selling the business. He continued working there 2 days a week right up until his death. He had long-lasting customers and friends who came into the barbershop regularly and whose loyalty gave Ralph a great sense of pride and purpose.

Ralph's commitment to his community and his family has significantly impacted so many. He will be deeply missed.

Calling hours and celebration of his life will be from 3:30-5:30 pm on Friday, August 22, 2025, at DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc. located at 219 Spencerport Road, Rochester, NY 14606. His Trisagion Service will be held at 5:30 pm, followed by his Military Honors. Interment, private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, 835 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, (https://goholyspirit.org) in his memory.