Thomas Lippa

Outdoorsman, Native Islander, 'Meticulous in Everything He Did' Proud Army Veteran and legendary ship captain, Thomas Lippa, 72, passed away on September 3, 2022, at his Long Island home. Born and raised on Staten Island, Mr. Lippa moved to Arrochar then Dongan Hills before settling in Oakdale, Long Island in 1988. He graduated from New Dorp High School and received his degree in Applied Science, majoring in Automotive Technology and Industrial Arts from the University of New York. Tom served in the United States Army National Guard from 1969 to 1978 in active duty at Fort Polk, Indiana and was honorably discharged from the 101 Armored Cavalry Regiment as a generator mechanic. Tom worked for S.G. Hylan Motors from 1974 to 1984 as an A-Mechanic and was certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence in all phases of automobile repair. He also was a certified inspector for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. In 1984, Tom became a certified sub-contractor for Con-Edison Electric Utility with Sure Energy Inc., working as project manager and account representative. He began his own lighting company, T.L.C. Lighting, in 1996, manufacturing and installing energy efficient lighting. In 2016, Tom obtained his USCG Captains License and Commercial Assistance Towing License from the National School of Maritime Licensing and began working for Sea Tow in The Great South Bay in Oakdale, Long Island until 2019. He was an excellent Captain and enjoyed piloting his own boats, The Flying Finn and The Flying Finn II throughout the area's waterways and oceans. Tom was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He was an athletic man his whole life who kept himself in perfect shape. He loved skiing and was a member of the NYS Ski Patrol. He was a certified SCUBA Diver and enjoyed diving shipwrecks and repairing his boats. Mr. Lippa was a longtime and faithful member of St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church in Bohemia, NY. "Dad was a hardworking man who loved nature," said his family. "He was meticulous in everything he did with an amazing attention to detail and perfection. He loved his family and was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. Dad was a true legend." Thomas Lippa was the beloved father of Michael Lippa and Nicholas Lippa and his wife Alyssa. He was also the cherished grandfather of Penelope. Tom was the dearest brother of Virginia Carbone and her late husband Pat, Dr. Nancy Ziehler and her husband Frank, Barbara Duro and her husband John and Angela Bove and her husband Guy. He is also survived by his former spouse, Nancy Lippa (nee McKernan) with whom he has remained close friends. A. Azzara Funeral Home, 183 Sand Lane, Staten Island, NY 10305 has been honored with providing the funeral services for Mr. Lippa which include visiting on Monday from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral mass at St. Ann's Church on Tuesday at 10am. Interment follows at Moravian Cemetery. A. Azzara Funeral Home 183 Sand Lane Staten Island NY 10305 (718) 727-1440