Obituaries
Americo Pietropaolo, 96
April 29, 1925 - June 14, 2021
Americo “Rick” Pietropaolo, 96, formerly of Ronks, passed away at Hollidaysburg Veteran’s Home on Monday, June 14, 2021. He was born and raised in Altoona, son of the late Donato and Gracia (Papantonio) Pietropaolo. He shared 73 years of marriage with Lois Jane (Lenning) Pietropaolo before her death in 2019.
A graduate of Altoona High School, he completed college courses at Lancaster School of The Bible and then went on to serve as a lay minister, speaking at several churches on Sunday evenings. Along with a good friend Jim Garber they renovated a trailer that became the Hi-Way Chapel and spread the Gospel at local fairs and trailer parks.
Rick was a member of Paradise Bible Church which he attended until age 95.
He owned and operated the popular Rick’s Barber Shop in Lancaster City (where he cut all the missionaries’ hair for free). In later years, Rick also owned AAA Refrigeration, and he worked as a refrigeration mechanic for Wilbur Chocolate in Lititz. In retirement, he operated Rick’s Crafts and Things and bought and sold wagons from his Lincoln Highway East home. His joy the last few years was being “Pops” to the teens that gathered at the Factory Center in Paradise.
Rick served in the Army Air Force during WWII with the 1382 East 2nd AAF BU NO ATLANTIC DIV ATC, obtaining the rank of Corporal. He liked to say he trained as a barber, signed up to drive trucks and ended up being a cook!
Surviving Rick are his six children, Sherrie Grimes, wife of Michael, Wendy Lord, wife of Linwood, Bonnie Brady, wife of David, Rickie Sue Kendall, wife of Richard, Tim Whitmyer, husband of Ann, and Ted Whitmyer; as well as 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 13 great great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Lois, Rick was preceded in death by his siblings, Ipolla Pietropaolo, Carlo Pietropaolo and Angelina Vohn.
A celebration gathering for his family will take place this fall. Rick was buried beside Lois in Conestoga Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to The Factory Ministries, P.O. Box 282, Paradise, PA 17562.
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Condolences to the Family
June 22, 2021
I have very fond memories of your family and fun sleepovers. You were blessed to have your father for so many wonderful years. I hope your lives turned out the way you hoped. It’s so hard to believe that we are at this stage in our own lives. Bonnie I would love to see you again, you were a fun and special friend. My deepest sympathy in the loss of your father.
June 18, 2021
We will miss you Rick. We loved hearing you laugh, it made us laugh with you. You always were singing or humming a gospel song, We wish we could have heard you when you sang in the quartet, years ago.
But most special of all was when our Pastor would ask the congregation if anyone had a Praise or prayer request. Every week you would tell us of someone you had shared Christ with, or you would ask the congregation to pray for someone in need. It wasn’t about you it was always about others. Thank you for showing us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
June 18, 2021
Rick is going to be missed by many people in many places but we rejoice that he is home with the Lord where I’m sure he’s hearing, “well done good and faithful servant.
Peggy Long
June 17, 2021
Our condolences to Rick’s family, we loved him alot. We are so happy that we know we will him again some day. He was a very special friend and we missed him alot when he moved to the nursing home. Always loved his zeal for the Lord
Love Bob and Karen Hershock
June 17, 2021
There were many things in Rick’s obituary that we didn’t know about him. We appreciate learning a little more about Rick’s travels in this life. We remember Rick and Lois and their faithfulness to PBFC when we first came there many years ago. Gene remembers Rick singing tenor very well especially the hymns he loved and knew best. He loved his family and he loved his country but he loved the Lord Jesus more than anything and never stopped sharing the good news of the Gospel. Our prayers to the family.
Gene and Karen Mitchell
June 17, 2021
Rick you are home! You have been such an encourager to us at PBFC for many years . You were a disciple maker. Thanks for your example and love for Jesus! Miss our Italian Rick!
Love Bruce and Vicki Zurbrick
June 17, 2021
We will miss you Rick, thanks so much for our peanut butter grinder. We will miss you!
Barry and Lesa Miller
June 17, 2021
Rick was an important part of our fellowship at Paradise BFC. I appreciated his fervor for missions. He could be counted on to attend every missions rally and loved to bless and pray for the missionaries. We will miss his prayers and his testimonies of God’s goodness! Our condolences to the family.
Sue and Gary Homsher
