George Donald La Police
Deacon George (Skip) LaPolice, 88, passed into eternal life on January 4, 2021 surrounded by his children.
Skip was born in Bridgeport, CT to George and Esther LaPolice. A graduate of Stamford High School, CT, he joined the U.S. Army in 1951, earning his parachute wings with the 187th airborne regiment. He was a combat survivor of the Korean war, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Medal (Japan), Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and United Nations Service Medal.
Following his discharge, he traveled to Alaska with an army buddy to start a logging business. Then he went on to study at the University of Chicago where he met his future wife, Doris. With the support of the G.I. Bill, he earned a Bachelor of Industrial Design degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and later, a Master of Arts degree from Kean College in Union, NJ.
He and Doris moved to Hillsborough, NJ in 1961 when Skip joined the Singer Company and in 1978, he established the first Industrial Design department in the company. In his 21-year tenure with Singer, he was awarded 17 design and mechanical patents.
He was a man of many talents and especially enjoyed flying, earning his private pilot’s license in 1974.
He and Doris were active in their church and after formation studies, he was ordained a permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic church. Following ordination, he served in Christ the King Church in Manville, NJ, Mary, Mother of God Church, in Hillsborough, NJ and St. Joseph Church in Millstone, NJ. Skip performed the marriages of his children and baptized many of his grandchildren, along with marrying hundreds of couples.
After retiring from several design and engineering management positions, he and Doris moved to their dream house in Tamaqua, PA which he designed. Skip continued his ministry at St. Joseph Church in Summit Hill, PA.
Skip is predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Doris (Schiedat) La Police.
Surviving are his 10 children:
Robert and wife Stephanie LaPolice; Karen and husband Tom Cummins; Kathy and husband Michael Crosby, Michelle and husband Rick Trivigno, Paul and wife Lisa LaPolice; Michael LaPolice, Susan and husband Joseph Mirra, Mark and wife DeLisa LaPolice, Aileen and husband Bruce Barrios, Dave and wife Nancy Lukomski.
He also leaves 15 wonderful grandchildren along with nephews Denis, Christopher, and Terry LaPolice.
He was predeceased by his brother Denis and wife Justine LaPolice and sisters Colette and Eileen.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 118 N. Market St., Summit Hill, PA 18250.
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