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It is with great sadness that the family of John F. Lipnicki announces his passing on Feb. 26, after a lengthy illness.

John is survived by his brother Charles E. Lipnicki of Madison and his sister and brother-in-law Kate and Rick Stoddard of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. He is predeceased by his brother Luke J. Lipnicki and his parents, Vincent J. and Frances C. Lipnicki.

John was a lifelong resident of Madison. After high school, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) in West Germany. John enjoyed a successful career in warehouse management, starting with a position as general manager in the family business, Carpet Warehouse, in New Haven.

From a young age, John was a lover of nature and the outdoors. Back in the 1960s-’70s, before Madison was fully developed, John would spend all day long traipsing through the woods exploring frog ponds, catching turtles, and looking under rocks for salamanders. The family would joke that one day he would grow up to be a herpetologist. He played football in the original Madison Quarterback Club and had the nickname “Little.” He received the nickname when one of the parents noted that nobody could seem to catch that fast little guy out on the field among all the bigger players.

There was nothing John loved more than sitting at the East Wharf pier with a cup of Joe in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. John also enjoyed golf and was a proud member of the Dawn Patrol at the Madison Country Club. His interests also included gardening, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, playing guitar, and listening to good old-time rock and roll (especially AC/DC and Ted Nugent). He was an avid fan of the New York Giants and Mets.

Although John was not a man of many words, he was the most loyal and honorable brother and friend you could hope to have in this life. He was truly a stand-up guy and will be greatly missed by family and friends. For those wanting to send best wishes, an online condolences page is available at the Swan Funeral Home site, www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com.