79R5675 BJM-D

By:  Ritter                                                       H.R. No. 283



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of former Jefferson County Precinct 2 
Constable Anthony Joseph Ippolito of Port Arthur on February 7, 
2005, at the age of 81, has brought a profound loss to the family and 
friends of this beloved civic leader; and
	WHEREAS, Born on September 23, 1923, Tony Ippolito graduated 
from St. Mary's High School and attended Texas A&M University 
before bravely serving his country for three years in the Pacific 
theater of World War II; and
	WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, the Port 
Arthur native wed his high school sweetheart, Joyce Moore, with 
whom he reared three beloved children, Madeline, John, and Maureen; 
and
	WHEREAS, Affectionately known as "Mr. Baseball," this 
lifelong Aggies fan enjoyed a varied and successful career, which 
included owning, with his brother, Joe, and friends, Ippolito's 
Grocery, the Port Arthur Seahawks baseball team, which won the 1952 
Gulf Coast League Championship, and the Seahawk Drive-In; he also 
owned the Golden Cask Supper Club and worked in the automotive 
industry for 20 years; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Ippolito ably served his fellow citizens as the 
Jefferson County constable for Precinct 2 for more than two 
decades, until his retirement in 1996; during his tenure, he was 
active in the East Texas Peace Officers Association, the State of 
Texas Justice of the Peace and Constable Association, and the Texas 
Association of Counties; and
	WHEREAS, A charter parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church and former president of St. Joseph's Federal Credit Union, 
this dedicated civic leader enjoyed active memberships with the 
Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, the Southeast Texas American Italian 
Cultural Club, the VFW, and the American Legion; moreover, he was a 
charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., the 
Evening Sertoma Club, and the Krewe of Aurora; and
	WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Tony Ippolito 
will remember his gentle and optimistic spirit, his ever-present 
smile, and his enduring love of family and community; although he 
will be greatly missed, his legacy will live on in his many 
contributions to his hometown and in the cherished memories of his 
loved ones; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Anthony 
Joseph Ippolito and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his 
family: to his wife of 59 years, Joyce Ippolito; to his daughter, 
Madeline Nicholas, and her husband, Bill; to his son, John 
Ippolito, and his wife, Gay; to his daughter, Maureen Sanders, and 
her husband, Jeff; to his grandchildren, Laura Stephens, Chris and 
Nicole Nicholas, Scott and Jennifer Nicholas, Kristy and Chad 
Wilson, Penny Ippolito, and Jessica, Jennifer, and Jeffrey Sanders; 
to his great-grandchildren, Tyler Stephens, Anthony Nicholas, and 
Karli Wilson; to his stepsisters, Virginia Moore and Roseanne 
Brocato; to his stepbrothers, Sam and Tommy Dolce; and to his other 
relatives and friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Anthony 
Joseph Ippolito.