1923-2018
Our beloved father, papou, brother and uncle, John A. Chipian, passed away on November 7, 2018 in the loving arms of his niece, Mercy Mamalis. He was 95. John was born on April 15, 1923 in Bingham Canyon, Utah to Anast J. and Effie Kokotas Chipian. He graduated from Bingham High School and then enlisted in the Army where he served honorably while stationed in England, France and Germany during WWII. After the war, he returned to Utah where he met and married Angie Ligdas on September 28, 1947 in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City. He and Angie worked alongside in business owning and operating Chipian’s Inventory Service for 34 years. They were partners in marriage and life for 71 years until Angie’s passing on October 22, 2018.
Proud of his ethnic heritage, John was honored to receive the 1990 Utah Governor’s Service to Folk Arts Award for “his many years of service to the Greek Community of Utah.” He found great joy in working for his church, serving on the Parish Council and other church-related committees, contributing to the expansion and success of the annual Greek Festival, and as a founding member of the Hellenic Cultural Association and trustee of the Hellenic Cultural Museum. He was a 60+ year member of the Masonic Argenta Lodge #3 in Salt Lake City.
John had a deep love and faith in God and was a devout Orthodox Christian. He touched many lives with his generosity, kindhearted gentle nature and great sense of humor. His family and friends will longingly remember his favorite jokes and funny one-liners. He was a true conversationalist who loved to visit with anyone sitting next to him, speaking often of his wartime adventures and the old days in Bingham.
John leaves behind his sister, Mary Burton; son, Terry (Mary) Chipian; grandsons, his pride and joy, John (Peggy) and Jeff Chipian; “granddaughter” Tina Mamalis; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and cared for him and will miss him dearly. He now joins his parents, his beloved wife, and his sisters Aspasia “Espie” Forbus, Virginia Oneida, Helen “Kelly” Daugherty and Catherine “Katie” Alex.
The family wishes to thank the warm and caring staff at Assisted Living of Draper and Inspiration Hospice for making his final days comfortable and dignified.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT. Friends and family may visit on Sunday, November 11 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT with Trisagion prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Interment with military honors will follow the funeral service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his name to the Greek Orthodox Church of Salt Lake at the address above.
Rest in peace, Papou. We will cherish your memory forever.
