Obituary of Louis Joseph Trupo

Mr. Louis Joseph Trupo, 97 years of age of Bridgeport, WV passed away on April 20, 2017 at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV surrounded by his family. He was born June 19, 1919 in Clarksburg, WV the son of the late Leonard and Domenica “Minnie” (Michele) Trupo. He is survived by his wife Flora Ada (Pinion) Trupo. They had celebrated seventy years of marriage. He is also survived by a daughter, Jona (Trupo) Michel and husband, Tom of Bridgeport; two sons, Dr. Joe Trupo and wife Debbie of Elkins, and Louis Trupo, Jr. and wife, Tammy, of Columbus, OH; a special daughter Michelle Brady; six grandchildren, Chris Trupo, Jaime Trupo, Heather (Trupo) Collier and husband Josh, Melissa (Michel) Rubi and husband Dr. Dionisio “Nicho”, Kristy (Michel) Marshall and husband Scott, and Lauren Trupo; nine great grandchildren Kirkland Pyles, Autumn Trupo, Sofia Rubi, Stella Rubi, Lucia Rubi, Austin Marshall, Alexis Marshall, Luca Collier and Eva Collier; one brother L. Joe Trupo of Bridgeport; one sister Francis (Trupo) McConchie of Lewes, DE and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Russell, and two sisters, Marie and Theresa. “Zeke” as he was known to many of his friends, was raised in Adamston section of Clarksburg and graduated from Victory High School in 1937. He was active in many sports including basketball, baseball and was runner up in the West Virginia State High School Wrestling Championships. While attending Salem College, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. A veteran of World War II, Louis was a radio telephone communications specialist in the United State Marine Corps. He was wounded on the Island of Tinian by a sniper’s bullet with wounds over his heart and right leg. A prayer missal and spoon he carried in his pocket and his dog tags that hung around his neck deflected the bullet, that otherwise would have struck his heart. He was recognized in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” for this. He received a Purple Heart for bravery and wounds received in this battle. He returned to battle on Iwo Jima and was wounded by a mortar shell during the battle. He received a second Purple Heart for this battle. God answered his prayers and returned him home to his family. Louis worked for Fourco Glass Company for thirty-one years as a maintenance foreman. He had strong values of giving back to his community. He was a founding member and President of the Harrison County Emergency Squad for two terms and a volunteer member for more than twelve years. He was a first aid instructor and an emergency medical technician. He was also a member of the Central WV Management Club and was Past President of the Clarksburg Deanery N.N.C. Men. “Zeke” was first elected as Justice of the Peace and then continued as a Harrison County Magistrate for fourteen and a half years before retiring. Louis was a member of the Bridgeport City Council and Past President of the Bridgeport Kiwanis Club. He was also a life member and Past Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 418, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport, where he served as an usher for over 50 years. Louis was proud of his Italian heritage and was recognized as the Italian Man of the Year in 2007. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf. After retirement, he spent time taking long drives through the mountains of WV with his wife, Ada. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii and his hometown in Italy. Zeke loved working in his garden, insisting that the yellow stripe tomatoes are the best. He was a loving family man. He delighted in his grandchildren, spoiling them with candy, doughnuts, and report card money. Above all, Zeke will be remembered for his strong faith,love of family, generous spirit, and service to his country. Friends will be received at All Saints Catholic Church 317 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM. A Vigil Service will be held in the church on Sunday at 7:30 PM. Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be on Monday, April 24, 2017 in the church at 11:00 AM with Reverend Father Benedict Kapa and Reverend Father Hilarion V. Cann presiding. The interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery, Bridgeport, WV. The Harrison County Honor Guard and the United States Marines Honor Guard will provide full military rites at graveside. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. The Trupo family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV.