Joseph J. Cipri

Joseph J. Cipri, age 92, of Lawrence, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at his beloved home on Baker Lake in Lawrence, Michigan. Joseph was born March 3, 1918 in Dowagiac, Michigan, the son of Anton and Magdalena (Ritzsman) Cipri, and except for 10 years in Chicago, he lived in the Bangor-Glendale-Lawrence area his entire life. Joseph married Esther Marik on January 8, 1940 and they were partners in life until her death in 2001. Joseph spent much of his life toiling at two professions to support and care for his family. A farmer at heart, he was also a fine machinist at National Waterlift in Kalamazoo where he "earned" two titles. One was "Mr. Feeds and Speed" for his penchant for running machinery flat out to the breaking point to achieve the maximum production in the minimum amount of time. Then, due to his abilities and work ethic, he earned the title of Night Shift Superintendent. Joe "retired" in 1979 and enjoyed his years spending time with and assisting his family, taking his annual deer hunting trips to Ralph, Michigan, and Canadian Fishing Trips on Smoothrock Lake. He fed half the Lawrence area with literally thousands of fish that he caught on Baker Lake. Baker Lake was Joe's Cinderella story; he worked there as a young man during the dark days of the Depression, earning 10 cents per hour as the owners transformed the property from a wild mucky area into a park-like setting . He and Esther moved there about 1990 to enjoy their new granddaughter Caitlin, the lake and its great fishing, the abundant wildlife, and especially to watch his grandchildren and their friends playing and enjoying themselves. It was a dream come true. Joe spent countless hours mowing and grooming the lawns and saw it not as work but a labor of love. Joe and Esther had four children, Richard (Jerilyn) of Lawrence, Robert and Carol (both deceased), and Judy of Holland Michigan; five grandchildren, Lynette (Brad) Burkett, Robert, Matthew (Lorena), James and Caitlin Cipri. Lynette presented Joseph with two great grandchildren, Dylan and Connor Burkett. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, a special brother Robert (Louise) Rotach and sister Edna (Rotach) Fricano on Esther's side...all of whom he was immensely proud. Joseph was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary (James) Nugent, Anne (Joseph) Folmer, and Lee (Robert) Greter. When Joe left us to meet his maker, he did it in his typical fashion, quietly and with dignity, having absorbed all that life could throw at him head on and without complaint. We are immensely proud of Dad. The family will meet friends 9:30-11:00 AM Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Simpson United Methodist Church, Bangor, where a memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, with Rev. Thomas A. Davenport officiating, and a luncheon to follow. The family suggests memorials to either Make-a-Wish Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements by Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home.

Joseph J. Cipri

March 3, 1918 - September 14, 2010