Michael Vincent Pipolo, age 60 years, of Union Township, Hunterdon County, NJ, died on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ under the care of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born September 7, 1956 in Jersey City, NJ, son of Frank Peter and Catherine Jane Izraelski Pipolo of Raritan Township, NJ, Mike grew up on Old Croton Road in Flemington, NJ and had formerly lived in Milford, NJ, Glen Gardner, NJ and Forks Township, PA prior to moving to Union Township ten years ago.

A 1974 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Mike worked for Johanna Farms, Raritan Township, NJ for over twenty-five years. He also worked for Whitlock Packaging Company, Wharton, NJ and was most recently employed by Givaudan Flavoring in East Hanover, NJ.

Mike’s last few weeks on Earth were a reflection of how he lived his entire sixty years; with strength, determination, love and enthusiasm. Faced with a cancer diagnosis more than two years ago, he vowed to fight to be there for “his girls,” his two loving daughters and his granddaughter, and the rest of his family and friends. He was not one to ever give up and he would not want his death being thought of as cancer beating him; it did not, and that is evidenced in the many lessons he taught those he encountered the past several weeks.

The lessons of always staying positive, being strong when needed and gentle when called for; being there for those who were taking care of him and giving them more than they could give him, are but just several examples of how Mike’s loving spirit touched all those he knew.

Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, Mike would not shy away of saying he was a product of that generation in that he loved to truly live his life to the fullest. He was impulsive and fought for his beliefs. He stayed true to being the kind of trustworthy and loyal friend who would be there for you in a time of need.

He was a hard worker and everything he had was a direct result of his dedication to anything he set his mind to. He lived for being a father to his two daughters, and more recently, a “Pea-Pop” to his granddaughter who was the apple of his eye. Mike’s girls both remember him as being fair, funny, supportive, and he always encouraged them to be their true selves; his love was present all the time and they knew they could always rely on the father for anything.

He enjoyed riding around in his Jeep as well as on motorcycles. Fishing and crabbing down at the Jersey Shore, deer and turkey hunting, and kayaking at Spruce Run were also favorite pastimes.

Mike was a man who was always on the go and loved to be outside; he would walk the streets of Clinton all the time, just to be out and about and see all the wonders of creation.

An avid Miami Dolphins and New York Yankees fan, he was also a devoted Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fan.

When thinking about what Mike would want everyone to know about his life, he would first and foremost tell you that family was the most important thing and that one should cherish each day with them; Carpe Diem (seize the day) to the fullest!

Then, most likely he would tell you, as one of his music idols, Alice Cooper once said, “Mistakes are part of the game. It’s how well you recover from them, that’s the mark of a great player.” Essentially, no one is perfect, but by being a good, kind and genuine person to ourselves and to one another, this world will be a better place.

Mike, rest easy now, knowing that you played this game of life well, and leave not only your family and friends to carry on your legacy and make certain your grandchildren know all about their “Pea-Pop,” but countless others you have touched by simply being a kind and decent human being who will pay it forward in your name.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Peter and Catherine Zambardino Pipolo as well as by his maternal grandparents, Vincent and Mary Gillen Izraelski.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are two daughters and sons-in-law, Kristyn and Marc Nufrio of North Brunswick, NJ and Nicole and Justin Groff of Denver, PA; his granddaughter, Zaira Victoria Nufrio and her brother, Mike’s grandson, whom the stork is bringing this July; his siblings, Frank and his wife, Theresa Pipolo of South Plainfield, NJ, Robert Pipolo of Upper Black Eddy, PA and Kathryn Pipolo and her husband, Robert Hunt of Milford, NJ; his aunt, Annette Colterelli of Edison, NJ; his former wife, Lisa Pipolo of Milford, NJ; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.

A celebration of life service will take place on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. This will be preceded by a memorial gathering from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, was private.

Please visit Mike’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory may do so to the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, 676 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ 08867.