David C. Lipko

David C. Lipko                                                     1949 - 2007 CHICOPEE---David C. Lipko, of Chicopee and formerly of Barrigada, Guam. Dave was born in Vancouver, WA, and moved to the island of Guam in 1954.  He was the son of Winifred (Rafferty) Horne and Claude D. Horne of Vancouver, WA and the stepson of Andrew Lipko, Sr., of Barrigada, Guam. He retired from the U. S. Postal Service in February 2006 after 31 years of federal service. He was an U. S. Army veteran and obtained the rank of Sergeant and served in Korea from 1969-1971 with the 8th Army on the Trans-Korea Pipeline.  From 1971-1974, he was a Military Police Sergeant and served with the 184th, 14th, and the 9th Military Police, and also with the 184th Military Intelligence Company.  He also served with the National Guard units and the U. S, Navy Reserves, and the 1111th Military Police in Rhode Island. He received the Good Conduct Medal, 2nd award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze service star, and the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Services Ribbon for Expert Marksman and Sharpshooter badges. He was a former Deputy Sheriff, a member of the Mobile Riverine Force Assoc., lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, and a lifetime member of the Korean Veterans of America. He enjoyed researching his family's genealogy and was the Keeper of the Records of Donnchadh Mor O'Houghegan Clansman of O'Neil of Tyrone, dated 1644. He attended local private schools on Guam, and received degrees in Electrical Engineering Technology and Master Electrician course from the state of PA.  He also received a degree in Liberal Arts and certificate in Heat, Power, A/C, and refrigeration from STCC, Springfield, MA. Dave is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Diane M. (Frappier) Lipko, and his son, Patrick D. Lipko of Chicopee.  His sisters, Catherine (Lipko) Farr of Springfield, and Claudia (Horne) Severin of Georgia, his brother Douglas Hodgkiss of Colorado, two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and two great-grand nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 17th beginning at 7:45 a.m. from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St., with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9 a.m. in St. Rose de Lima Church, Grattan St., with Rites of Committal and burial to follow in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery, all in Chicopee. Visiting hours are Friday March 16th from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. For directions or online condolences please visit www.tylunasfuneralhome.com