Joseph Lippa

Joseph Lippa, 101, formerly of Clarence Center, NY, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024 of Asheville, NC, in his Bella Vista Retirement home.

Born on March 9, 1923, Joe lost his father just a year later, and with his new step-father, mother and sisters, experienced the Depression. They lost two stores and two homes causing them to move several times throughout NY state. That entire experience was imbedded deeply into Joe’s value system.

When Joe graduated high school, he joined the Army Air Corp becoming a bombardier and then a navigator. During several of his missions, he witnessed several of his groups’ planes shot down. Those men lost were never forgotten.

Once home from the war, Joe went to college, graduate school and completed the course work for his PhD in Psychology. An auto accident, a head injury and a long hospital stay prevented the thesis, but he was certified a psychologist without it. He worked in Western New York as a Psychologist with children for the Erie County Health Department, Kenmore School District, and part time with Gateway Longview Home for Children.

Once retired, he and Joan visited Asheville, NC, several times visiting family and moved there in October, 2003.

Joe was the cherished husband of Joan for 46 years. A member of the “Greatest Generation,” he was preceded in death by daughters, Carmine Gaidasz and Lucia Majewicz. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Mary Lippa; son, Louis Lippa; two step-daughters, Beth Dobson (Michael), Pamela Freshour (Dennis); step-son, Steven Sims (Cheryl); and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 8, at 3:30 p.m. at Covenant Community Church, 11 Rocket Drive, Asheville, NC 28803. His family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to ABCCM, 1845 Brevard Rd., Arden, NC 28704, or to Covenant Community Church, 11 Rocket Dr., Asheville, NC 28803.