Anthony Joseph “Tony” Ippolito, 81, passed away, Monday, February 7, 2005, after a year long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.
A native of Port Arthur, Anthony was born September 23, 1923 to John Ippolito and Cecile Lupo Ippolito. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He attended Texas A&M University during the fall of 1942 and was called to serve his country during World War II. Even though he was only an Aggie for such a short time, he loved Texas A&M and continued to have season football tickets for over 40 years.
From 1942-1945, he served in the Army in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning to Port Arthur, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Moore.
Anthony and his brother, Joe, operated Ippolito’s Grocery until it was destroyed by fire in 1950. In 1951, Anthony along with his brother and Tony Malley and Tony Durso, purchased a Gulf Coast Baseball League franchise and named it the “Seahawks”. They owned the Port Arthur Seahawks for several years and then sold it to outside interests. At this time, he also owned and operated the Seahawk Drive In.
Anthony then embarked on a twenty-year career in the car business with Inman Chevrolet in Port Arthur and Gordon Chevrolet in Port Neches. During this time, he owned the Golden Cask Supper Club in Port Arthur.
In 1973, Anthony was appointed to fill an unexpired term as Constable, Pct. 2 of Jefferson County. He held this position for 22 years, retiring in 1996. Politics became his passion and he served Jefferson County and the State of Texas with all of his might. During his tenure, he was very active in the East Texas Peace Officers Association and was a Past President of the State of Texas Justice of the Peace and Constable Association. At the statewide level, he served on the board of the Texas Association of Counties in Austin for 9 years.
Anthony’s community service was an inspiration to everyone. He was a charter parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a charter member and Past President of St. Joseph’s Federal Credit Union. He was an active member of the VFW and the American Legion as well as a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. In addition, he was a charter member of the Evening Sertoma Club, a member of the Southeast Texas American Italian Cultural Club, a member of the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation and a charter member of the Krewe of Aurora. Most recently, he served on the Pleasure Island Commission.
Anthony was preceded in death by his father, John Ippolito; mother, Cecile Lupo Ippolito Dolce; and brother, Joe Ippolito. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce; daughter, Madeline Nicholas and husband Bill of Bridge City and their children, Laura Stephens of League City, Chris and Nicole Nicholas of Mauriceville, Scott and Jennifer Nicholas of Sugar Land; son, John Ippolito and wife Gay of Lufkin and their children, Kristy and Chad Wilson of Lufkin and Penny Ippolito of Lufkin; and daughter, Maureen Sanders and husband Jeff of Richmond and their children, Jessica, Jennifer and Jeffery Sanders; and great grandchildren, Tyler Stephens, Anthony Nicholas and Karli Wilson; step-brothers, Sam Dolce of Port Neches and Tommy Dolce of Port Arthur; step-sisters, Virginia Moore of Richmond and Roseanne Brocato of Beaumont; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.
Pallbearers are: Chris Nicholas, Scott Nicholas, Chad Wilson, Larry Eaves, John Williams and G. W. “Shorty” Woods. Honorary Pallbearers are: Paul Colletti, Nick Lampson, Roy Leonard, Pat Rachal and Leonard Roccaforte.
Visitation is set for Wednesday, February 9th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Broussard’s Mortuary in Nederland. A memorial rosary and visitation will be held Thursday, February 10th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Port Arthur. A funeral mass is set for Thursday, February 10th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s with interment at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery with Fr. Stephen McCrate officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Anthony’s honor to St. Joseph’s Memorial Building Fund, 4600 Procter Street, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.
