Obituary: Atty. Richard P. Zipoli, Sr., 87, of Waterbury

Obituary courtesy of Maiorano Funeral Home

Atty. Richard P. Zipoli, Sr.

*** Beloved Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Prominent Attorney***

WATERBURY, CT - Attorney Richard P. Zipoli, Sr., age, 87 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, November 2, 2020. He was the husband of the late Joan-Ann (Croke) Zipoli.

Attorney Zipoli was born in Waterbury on January 19, 1933, son of the late Pasquale and Evelyn (DiLorenzo) Zipoli. He was a graduate of Providence College and Fordham University Law School, passed the Bar in 1959, and practiced law for over 50 years. After graduating from Providence College, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon completion of the Armored Officer’s course of Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant. During that time, he was awarded a Gold Medal from the prestigious Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA. He also served four years in the active reserves in a civil affairs/military government unit.

He began his law career as an associate of the late James E. Russell, Esq. He founded the law firm of Zipoli, Keefe and Dodd and practiced general law for twenty-five years, then later concentrated in residential and commercial real estate law, probate law, and elder law.

He was a member of the Waterbury and Connecticut Bar Associations and an officer and director of the CT Italian-American Bar Association. Attorney Zipoli was appointed a trustee of the CT Community Colleges in the 1970s by the late governor Ella Grasso. He taught business law at Post College and Waterbury Adult Education. He served as judge advocate for the Florio Post Veteran’s Association. He served several terms on both the Republican and Democratic Town Committees in Waterbury. Preferring to remain in the background as a political advisor, he declined to run for local or state offices on many occasions, deferring to his dedication to the practice of law with true compassion for his clients.

Attorney Zipoli is survived by his son Dr. Richard P. Zipoli, Jr. and his wife Dr. Elisabeth Cannata of Burlington; his daughter Diane J. Zipoli of Medford, MA and his granddaughter Sophie Tara Zipoli of Boston, MA. He also leaves behind his devoted sister Linda Zipoli-Frenette and her husband Gary of Woodbury as well as his nieces Frances, Evelyn, Cathy, Patricia, Laura, and Julianna, whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Joan-Ann, his sons Albert Zipoli and Steven P. Zipoli and his brother Thomas.

Attorney Zipoli’s family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Rubenstein and Dr. Kert Sabath as well as their nurses and staffs for their outstanding and compassionate care shown to him.

His funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 309 S. Main St., Waterbury. Burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Everyone attending will be required to wear face masks and social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed. Memorial contributions in Attorney Zipoli’s name may be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or online at www.lovetotherescue.org. For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.