John William Ripple

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.

A 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.