Lipinski

Michael James “Jim” Lipinski, 73, of Petrolia passed away Sunday at his home surrounded by his children after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Kaylor, Armstrong County, Sept. 12, 1937, the son of Thomas Teofil and Agnes Marie (Bedner) Lipinski.

Jim lived his whole life in the Petroleum Valley. A 1955 graduate of East Brady High School, he played wide receiver with the first EBHS football team to play after being disbanded during World War II.

He was a member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Bradys Bend.

Jim honorably served his country as an air policeman in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Venice and Trieste, Italy, from 1955 to 1959.

He was employed with Indspec as a carpenter for 30 years prior to his retirement in 1999. Jim was a member of United Steelworkers Union Local 6346-25 and a life member of the Sons of Italy in Bradys Bend.

Jim was a friend to all that knew him. Among his co-workers, he was known as the man who always came in whistling with a smile on his face and a joke to share.

An avid golfer, he played courses from Pennsylvania to the sunshine state when visiting his boys. Jim was a big sports fan, proudly supporting the Steelers and the Pirates, even despite his beloved baseball team's somewhat lackluster performance, he had eternal optimism each season for their “grand comeback.”

Of all the aspects of his life that he enjoyed talking about and telling stories of, nothing came close to the love he had for his family and the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to family gatherings when they could all be together. Being their father and grandfather was his proudest achievement, and his love for them is eternal.

He will be deeply missed by his four sons, Tim Lipinski of Bruin, Tom Lipinski and his wife, Joan, of Orlando, Fla., Bob Lipinski and his wife, Ro, of Boca Raton, Fla., and Scott Lipinski and his wife, Kirsten, of Orlando, Fla.; his one and only daughter, Tina Stewart and her husband, Eric, of Petrolia; 12 grandchildren, Michelle Miller and her husband, Ron, Adam Lipinski, Andrew Lipinski, Bowen Lipinski, Tucker Lipinski, Carson Lipinski, Wyatt Lipinski, Cooper Lipinski, Jack Lipinski, Macy Stewart, Abby Stewart and Colben Stewart; his brother, Thomas F. Lipinski and his wife, Deanie, of East Brady; and his sister, Mary Evelyn Lindquist of North Olmsted, Ohio.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John J. Lipinski and Stanley Lipinski who died during the flu epidemic of 1918.

<B>LIPINSKI </B>— Relatives and friends of Michael James “Jim” Lipinski, who died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, may visit from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the <B>Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services</B>, Argyle Street, Petrolia. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 915 State Route 68, East Brady, with the Rev. Ron L. Cyktor Jr. as celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Cemetery, Bradys Bend, with full military honors presented by the Bradys Bend American Legion Post 488.In honor of Jim, contributions may be made in his memory to VNA Hospice of Western Pennsylvania 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.To view a video tribute celebrating Jim's life and express online condolences to the family visit: www.bauerhillisfuneral.com.