Peter C Cipriani

Peter Cipriani, 93, was reunited with Josephine (née Neroni), the love of his life, August 3, 2017. Born 2 months early on Christmas Eve, Pete was just over 3 pounds, but his tiny persona took on a personality bigger than life. Pete was preceded in death by brothers Albert (Donna) and Ralph (Delores).

A lifelong baseball fan and talented pitcher. Pete played for Cleveland Sandlot teams, including the 1942 "Fiordali Furniture" championship team and the 1946 "GI Joe's". He was informed by first-hand catchers that he had a better curve than iconic Tribe champ Bullet Bob Feller!

He served in World War II as a navigator flying scrapped airplanes overseas. His love of flying led him to earn a pilot's license and later log many hours in his much safer, beloved Grumman Tiger plane.

In 1954, Pete met his "lovely wife", Jo, who married him after turning down 29 other proposals, a fact she reminded him of frequently. They had three children (who realized early on they hit the parent lottery): Linda Manley (Pat), Cindy Cipriani and Pete Cipriani (Susan) and six grandsons: Ryan, Kevin, Tristan, Tucker, Dominic, and Matthew.

Together with brothers Al and Ralph, Pete achieved the American Dream. Armed with just the GI Bill and a crescent wrench, the brothers created Cipriani Refrigeration Inc., which evolved into a commercial real estate company, now under the exemplary leadership of nephew Michael Cipriani.

Pete treated everyone with kindness and respect. His generosity was legendary. If a friend or relative had a broken air-conditioner, Pete was there to fix it. If they needed a charcoal grill, Pete was there to install it. And, if he was in a restaurant, Pete was there to secretly slip the busboy a generous tip knowing how hard their job was.

Pete relished the good things in life including cream puffs, poker, football pools, jelly donuts, Vegas, Zusiks, Manner's Big Boys, Lehigh Acres, Harvey's ribs, dogs, Conneaut, fishing, the Indians and Keno, not necessarily in that order.

Entombment All Saints Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to meet for Mass of Christian burial 10 am Monday at St. Basil the Great Church. Friends may call at FORTUNA FUNERAL HOME, 7076 BRECKSVILLE RD, INDEPENDENCE (CORNER OF BRECKSVILLE AND HILLSIDE) 4-8 PM SUNDAY.

A beloved son, brother, husband, brother-in-law, father, uncle, grandfather, and true friend to many, Pete was a gift to all who knew him. He made the world a better place. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Renaissance of Richfield and Kindred Hospice for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, they suggest a donation to a favorite charity. They also ask that in Pete's name, you tip a busser.