Beloved Dad dies at 98

John William Ripple, Senior died Feb 13, 2026, at the age of 98 surrounded by his family at

his son Michael’s home in Media PA.

Born August 18, 1927, in the small town of West Pittston, PA, he was the only child of

Michael Peter Ripple (1904-1980) and Frances Pepas (1906-1988) who worked in the local

mines and cigar factory respectively. Grandson of Agnes Swift and William Ripple; and

Marian Rincavage and John Peter Pepas who all emigrated from Lithuania.

Known as “Jack” in his youth and “Rip” to his wife, cousins, and many friends, he lived a full

and happy life—only spending his summers away from his beloved Lake Carey during his

service to his country. The lake embodied home and heart for him. Along with baseball and

his family, it was his greatest joy. When he learned of his prognosis, he said, “So I won’t be

able to go to the Lake again?”

Jack was a well-known and well-liked figure in his small Pittston community: He captained

his high school football and basketball teams and excelled at track and field. Friday nights

were spent at the local diner dancing to depression era jukebox tunes—the Lindy Hop or

Jitterbug—hands waiving, body twisting while his feet left the ground in sheer joy.

At 17 he signed up with the US Navy to fight in WW2 from August 1945 to July 1946, serving

on the USS Portland, a heavy cruiser, that among other things helped to return soldiers to

the States. Later he enrolled at New York University to study electrical engineering. To make

ends meet he lived with his Aunt Helen and Uncle Joe Pepas in Bayside, Queens-- working

at their family-owned filling station and auto repair shop with his cousins Jack and Joe who

were like brothers to him. After graduating he began his career at Sperry Gyroscope

Corporation in New York City. There he met Jeanine June Parquette (1932-2022) (aka

“Frenchy”) and they married in 1957.

Sperry stationed the couple in Martha’s Vinyard, MA for a field project and in 1958 they gave

birth to their first son Michael. Shortly thereafter they settled in a new housing

development in Huntington Station on Long Island, where they lived for 68 years and raised

their family of five children.

Rip was an avid golfer competing on his company golf league and often placing among the

top finishers. He and Jeanine played tennis recreationally heading to the courts in a

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible with four children in the back seat. Yet it was the

game of Bridge, that was his true passion-- combining his competitive spirit with his

mathematical mind. Dummy card hands often lined the breakfasts table and bedtime

reading was the latest books on bridge strategies. Over the years they won numerous

regional competitions and plaques lined their hallway walls.

Personal DataA devoted Catholic, John and his family were active members of St. Hugh of Lincoln

Church, rarely missing a Sunday Mass. He also served as a leader for Boy Scout Troop 436

invoking wonderful memories for his sons. In the 1970s he became an organic gardener

long before it was commonplace. A believer in President Jimmy Carter’s national energy

policy, he installed one of the first and only solar-paneled roofs on Long Island. Summers at

Lake Carey were rooted in the land—gardening, fishing, and building rock walls. The

rhythms of nature and family defined what he valued in life.

John is predeceased by his wife Jeanine (1932-2022) and his son, William (1970–2013). He

is survived by his children: Michael (Betty Ann), Jeanine LaLena (Dave), John Jr. (Joan),

Rebecca.

Grand Children: Nicole and Kaitlyn Ripple; John T. Ripple (Christine), Katherine Marcus

(Michael); Marina, Natasha, and Victor LaLena

Great Grandchildren: Davina and Kya LaLena; Eloise and Jack Marcus.