Obituary of Robert L. Dipipi

Robert "Bob" Louis Dipipi, 78, Mount Laurel, N.J., formerly of Old Forge, died Friday at home. He was married to the love of his life and best friend, the former Francis Maciborski. The couple celebrated their 56th anniversary on June 8.

Born in Old Forge, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Venturiello Dipipi. He graduated from Old Forge High School in 1953. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Bloomsburg University in 1957 and continued his post-graduate studies at the University of Scranton, Bucknell, University of Maryland and Cornell, earning his masters degree. His love of sports began at Old Forge High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He was recognized as an All-American and All-State quarterback. His passion for coaching began at Old Forge High School and continued at Moscow, South Catholic, Clark Summit, Reading and Muhlenburg high schools, achieving statewide success. Bob was selected Coach of the Year at Reading and Muhlenburg. His success at the high school level led him to Temple University, where he coached for 12 years. He went on to coach at the University of California-Berkeley for two years. His love of family brought him back to the East Coast, where he coached at Princeton University for eight years. He concluded his 40-year coaching career with the Scottish Claymores NFL World Football League before retiring. He was inducted into the Luzerne County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Northeastern Chapter in 2004.

Bob will always be remembered for his courage, integrity and wisdom. He was dedicated to his family, student athletes and all those under his care. He was greatly loved, will be missed, but never forgotten.

Also surviving are four children, Marissa Morini and husband, Joseph; Patty DellaVecchia and husband, Tony; Linda Newman and husband, Eric; and Bob Dipipi and wife, Gwen Homan; nine grandchildren, Chelsea, Alexis, Matthew, Daniel, Jessie, Dakota, Nicholas, Mark and Alyssa; great-grandson, Bobby Tiver; and an aunt, Constance Venturiello.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Ann Hughes; and a grandson, Jessie Hughes.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from the Louis V. Ciuccio Funeral Home, 145 Moosic Road, Old Forge, followed by Mass at 10 at Prince of Peace Parish, St. Mary's Church, 123 W. Grace St., Old Forge. Interment, Old Forge Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Old Forge High School Athletic Fund.