John L. Lapina

1938 - 2017

John Louie "Jayhawk" Lapina, 79, of Jeannette, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born Feb. 17, 1938, a son of the late Alexander and Rosa Bottoni Lapina. Prior to his retirement, Louie was employed by the former National Aluminum Co. for 29 years, and the Jeannette Specialty Glass Co. He was a member of the Ascension Roman Catholic Church in Jeannette, the FOE No. 844, the Polish Brotherhood of White Eagles, and the High Park Fire Hall, all of Jeannette, and a social member of the Jeannette American Legion Post No. 344. Louie enjoyed shuffleboard, his bocci leagues, and attending almost all of the Jayhawk sporting events. In addition to his parents, Louie was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy L. Best Lapina, in 2008; brothers, Frank, Jake and Alec Lapina; and sisters, Jennie DiGugliemo and Catherine Smolenski. He is survived by a daughter, Lori Lynne Lapina, of San Diego Calif.; a son, Robert Allen Lapina, and wife, Karen, of Mars, Pa.; grandchildren, Carson, Kathleen, and Cassie Lapina, and Austin Lent; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 North 2nd St. Jeannette. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday in the Ascension Church, with Father Paul A. Lisik as celebrant. Interment will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery, Hempfield Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PA Western Region, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA. 15205-4620.