James V. Lipinski

CUYAHOGA FALLS -- James V. Lipinski, Jr., age 72, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 with his family by his side.

Jim was born in Weston, West Virginia to James and M. Loreene (Brand). He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1969.  Jim attended Ohio Northern and graduated from Hocking Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Forest Management and The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree. He lived on the shore in Wildwood, N.J. where he was a night watchman on the Four Pier Boardwalk, Lifeguard for Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol, and then managed the Chalet Beachfront Hotel.

He married his first love, Beverly, in 1976 settling in Cuyahoga Falls in 1978 where they began their family of seven children. Jim began working in the Rubber Industry at Polymeric’s, A. Schulman, Enichem, and retired from Harwick Standard in 2017.  He was active in the Akron, Northeast Ohio, Buffalo, and Ohio Rubber Groups.

He spent many years as Boy Scout Troop Master 160.  He had many fond memories of camping with the Scouts along the Appalachian Trail and at Philmont Scout Ranch. As an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, and camping were a few of his biggest passions.   Jim was also a youth group leader at Bethany United Church of Christ and was on the Board of Advisors for the Riverfront YMCA.  Jim also volunteered to coach and referee numerous youth sports for his seven children.  Additionally, he had season tickets to the Cleveland Browns Dawg Pound, The Indians, and The Cavs. He supported all Ohio sports teams with the phrase, “There’s always next year”.

One of Jim’s proudest moments was supporting his daughter, “Bubbles”, Son-in-law “Sprout”, and son “Smudgy Cheeks” on their journey as flipflop hikers on the Appalachian Trail sending them care packages and surprising them as a trail angel on their journey.

After being married to Bev for 40 years, Jim lost his first wife, Bev, but said he was a lucky man to have found another woman he loved.  He married Kathy in June, 2022 and the two of them made the most of their brief time together traveling and enjoying each other’s company.  He also had lifelong friends from elementary, middle, and high school with whom he spoke to daily.

As his nephew John O. said, Jim will always be remembered as one of the best of us humans.  Jim made the party happen, didn’t wait for someone else to do it, and spread kindness and generosity everywhere.  Apparently, he was not indestructible, but his enormous spirit is.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly (Kelps), and sister, Lori Teen. He is survived by his second wife, Kathy (Kimes); daughters, Kathleen (Shane) Davison, Marybeth (Gustavo) Roldan Toci, and Margaret (Robert) Campbell; sons, James, III (Arianne), Joseph, John, and Jeffrey (Lindsay); grandchildren, James IV, Hayden, Enzo, John Logan, Charlotte, Landon, Paisley, Delilah, Lucas, Beverly Jo, and Jaxson; uncle, Harry Brand; cousins, Lori (John) Dever, Shawn (Mandy) Brand, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to all of his doctors and nurses at Akron City Heart and Lung for their love and care.  Special shoutouts to Andrew, Thor (Logan), Anna, and Kristin.

Memorial calling will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Monday, March 20, 2023 at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.  A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Bethany United Church of Christ, 1235 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223. In lieu of other remembrances contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 160, Bethany United Church of Christ, 1235 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223 or The Riverfront YMCA Annual Campaign (checks marked “Annual Campaign”), 544 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221. 

Arrangements entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home & Crematory, 330-928-2147.