Charles Ippolito's Obituary
Charles Sam Ippolito, age 86, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022 from pneumonia caused by degenerative kyphosis. A lifelong resident of Tampa, he spent his final hours at peace surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren.
Charlie was born in Ybor City on February 15, 1936 to Dominick (Mike) and Josephine Ippolito. Growing up, he became a fixture in his 8th Avenue neighborhood, delivering bread for his uncle’s Ferlita Bakery and hundred-pound blocks of ice for his father’s Hillsborough Ice Company.
From an early age, Charlie had an affinity for all styles of music and became an accomplished trumpet player. He earned superior marks performing in the Jefferson High School Band, was awarded a trumpet scholarship to the University of Tampa, and served in the band during his enlistment in the United States Army at Fort Lee, Virginia.
When Charlie returned to Tampa, he began a career selling Ford vehicles that would span over 50 years. Impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, he treated his customers with the professionalism of a bygone era and took pride in maintaining friendships with so many of them.
In 1963, a fellow salesman and friend introduced Charlie to his visiting sister-in-law, Mary Pearl Duval. From Charlie and Pearl’s first date at Bern’s Steak House, they always loved going out on the town. They married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on February 13, 1965 and worked together to build their family.
Through the years, Charlie and Pearl had countless fun times, whether they were traveling to Italy, babysitting their grandchildren, or just shopping at Publix. Later, as Charlie lost mobility and became homebound, Pearl stretched the limits of human endurance caring for his every need with steadfast love and devotion.
Charlie enjoyed cooking, golfing, and hunting. He was the quintessential life of the party—drinking wine, dancing, sharing stories, and swapping jokes. It became family lore that people knew him everywhere, especially after his nephew met a fellow tourist in the Amazon who heard the last name Ippolito and asked, “Do you know Charlie?” Charlie was always the first person to pitch in to help, whether in person or by reaching out to his network for a dinner reservation or an emergency plumber. His family will dearly miss knowing that his offer of “Let me make some calls” would soon be followed by the declaration “I got it handled.” Most of all we will miss his daily presence, seeing his beautiful smile and the twinkle in his eye.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brothers, Angelo Ippolito and Dr. Steve Ippolito. In addition to his wife Pearl, he is survived by their children, Carla Strobl and Carlo Ippolito, Carla’s husband Mike Strobl, and grandchildren Michael Ippolito Strobl and Marianne Ippolito Strobl. Survivors also include his sister Martha Richards, sisters-in-law Grace Ippolito, Caren Ippolito, and Loree Wilson, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on November 30th at 2pm.. A Celebration of Life Reception is planned for early next year. Contributions may be made in Charlie’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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