Former Pro Football Player, Cuyahoga Falls Teacher and Coach Dies

Jim Lipinski Sr., who played one season in the National Football League and another in the Canadian Football League, taught for 25 years in the , where he also coached.

The former Cuyahoga Falls resident, who died May 28 at age 85, also worked for the Cuyahoga Falls Park and Recreation Department.

He lettered in football, baseball and basketball at Fairmount State University in Fairmount, WV.  Lipinski, a tackle, was named to the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) first team in both 1947 and 1948.

In 1950, he became the first Fairmount Falcon to be drafted into the NFL. He played that season with the Chicago Cardinals and the 1951 season with the Calgary Stampeders.

Lipinski was named to the all-time great WVIAC football team in 1972. He was inducted in to the Fairmont State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

He was born James V. Lipinski in Monongah, WV, where he excelled in sports and graduated from Monongah High School in 1944.

After serving in the Navy aboard the LST 864 in the Pacific during World War II, he resumed his sports career and earned a degree in education at Fairmount State University.

Following two years of professional football, Lipinski began coaching in Ohio at Dalton High School. He went on to coach and teach at schools in Washington Court House and Cuyahoga Falls.

He retired to Sarasota, FL.

Survivors include his son, James Jr.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  Lipinski was widowed twice. His wives were M. Loreene (Brand) and Beverly (Di Losio). His daughter, Lori Teen, also is deceased.

Calling hours are 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, with a 6:30 p.m. Masonic service at , 1930 Front St.

Services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to Colonial Oaks Baptist Church, 6901 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241.