John M. Chipperini Obituary
John M. Chipperini, 86, of Gloucester passed away quietly on Monday, July 8th, 2024, at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long hard-fought battle with COPD. He was the loving husband of the late Shirley (Johnson). Chipperini with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. John was born May 7, 1938, in Skowhegan, Maine. He would be immediately adopted by his aunt, Charlene (St. Peter), Michael Chiapperini. (John would drop the 'A). He would then lead a rather troubled childhood in and around the Boston area, most notably Medford. As an example, by the time he was 18 years of age, he had crossed country twice using the preferred method of the times: hitchhiking and boxcars. He would then meet Shirley and began settling in Gloucester where he would raise his three sons.
Throughout his years he worked in many places. First was Gorton's Fisheries. Following a short period there, he began a 35 year enrollment in Laborers Union Local 22 in Boston. He would work on many of the projects as Boston grew to include Hancock Tower, State Street Bank, Copley Plaza, Burlington Mall, and the Big Dig. It was not uncommon to see him on big jobs, mixing mortar and concrete or acting as Site Foreman. Sometimes he worked locally for Faulk Brothers but would soon return to the Boston job sites. He also would tend bar at The Golden Dome next to the State House. Due to impending health issues, he retired from Construction and enjoyed, for the most part, many happy years of retirement.
While raising his family, John would take his sons (and their friends) fishing, swimming, camping and to the target range for shooting and gun safety. As one friend said of those days, "He was like a big kid that we all wanted to be."Having lived through some tough times himself, he would often informally counsel young men on getting on the "straight and narrow.". Thankfully, many times, the advice was heeded.
John was an avid dog lover and could often be seen walking his dogs, Marty, Sabbie, or Jack in the areas of Dogtown; Goose Gove, Dykes Meadow, and Haskell's Reservoirs; and Oak Grove Cemetery. Sometimes you might have found him sitting on his truck tailgate with Sabbie or Marty or enjoying a coffee on the boulevard.
At an early age, John became an avid gun collector. One of his favorite pastimes was target shooting at The Cape Ann Sportsman Club range. He would also become somewhat of an expert on guns and gun repair.
John is survived by his three sons: Michael Chipperini and his wife Jill of Gloucester, Kevin Chipperini and his wife Rosetta of Zephyrhills, FL, and Brian Chipperini and his longtime companion Lillian Elwell of Gloucester. He is the proud grandfather to his seven grandchildren Nicole (Eric James), Kevin, John M. (USCG) and his wife Mariel, Brendan and his wife Vionette, Joelle (Nick Browning), John W. and Alexis Chipperini. His five cherished great grandchildren Jaeden, Evan, Audriena, Jackson, Ava Rose, and Isabella. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews along with his Brother-in-law George Johnson and Sister-in-law, Charlene Montieth and her husband Jim. Also, a special mention to his good friend James Rowe and daughter-in-law Wendy Gibbs-Chipperini. Wendy was, in many ways, a loving daughter to him.
The Chipperini Family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the Gloucester Fire Department, the Addison Gilbert Hospital, and most importantly, the staff of Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation. Thank you all for the care and treatment provided over the many years during his COPD battle.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 12, at 1:30 pm at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, West Gloucester. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane Gloucester, MA Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
