In loving memory of Michael Lopriore - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Major Michael Lopriore, US Army retired, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, died Saturday, Sept 30th, after an extended illness. He was born an American citizen, in Anagni, Italy, on Feb 26, 1938, to Palmira and Vincenzo Lopriore. The family of 6 relocated to Jamestown, NY, in 1953. He enlisted in the US Army following graduation from Jamestown High School in 1957. In 1964, he was commissioned a 2nd LT after completing Officer Candidate School. Helicopter pilot training led to a tour in Vietnam. Fixed wing pilot training followed and preceded his second tour in Vietnam as a forward air controller. Mission demands returned him to helicopter pilot status for the remainder of his tour. He earned a BA from Park College in Missouri before his assignment to Redstone Arsenal, AL, as Chief of Flight Operations where he arranged a city wide fly-by of the plane transporting one of the space shuttles in the 1970s. He retired from the military in 1977, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, 25 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medals, and others. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots’ Association (VHPA) in Florida. He made the transition to civilian life as a travel agent with Christopher Travel in Huntsville, AL, allowing him to continue his love of travel. He also played soccer for Jamestown’s semi-pro team in the mid 1950s, the US Army divisional team in Germany, and officiating for elementary, high school and college games in retirement. He was generously, but quietly, supportive of those who needed help and a true and loyal friend. He is already missed by his wife, Shirley and step-daughters, Lisa Ninnis (James) and Pamela Irwin (Robert). He is also survived by his brother Anthony, his 3 sisters: Maria T. DeJoy (Vincent), Lorenza Everson (William), and Rose Marzi (Walter), and numerous extended family members in the US and Italy: maternal aunt and uncle, 7 step-grandchildren, 12 great and 3 great-great nieces and nephews, and multiple cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, his half- sister Maria Josephine Blanchard, and brother Dominic. The family wishes to thank the staff at Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home, Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home, and Halifax Hospice in Port Orange for their devotion to his care. In lieu of flowers, as internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, the family requests monetary donations be made in his name to the Halifax Health Hospice, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129 or Vietnam Helicopter Pilots’ Association of Florida, Inc. P.O. Box 947718, Maitland, FL 32794-7718