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Rev. John Francis Lipp, 84, educator

The Rev. John Francis Lipp, 84, an educator and administrator, died of heart failure on Monday, Dec. 3, at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Rev. John Francis Lipp
Rev. John Francis LippRead more

The Rev. John Francis Lipp, 84, an educator and administrator, died of heart failure on Monday, Dec. 3, at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

He was a longtime member of the St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery community.

Rev. Lipp was born in Mahanoy City, Pa., and a 1946 graduate of Mahanoy City Public High School. He joined the Augustinian Academy on Staten Island as a postulant, professing first vows two years later.

Rev. Lipp earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1951 from then-Villanova College. He studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, and earned a master's degree in German in 1955 from Catholic University of America.

He was ordained on Sept. 12, 1954, at Saint Mary's Hall Chapel on the Villanova campus.

Rev. Lipp taught at Catholic schools in New York, Washington, and Reading, Mass., before returning to Villanova in 1969 as assistant director of admissions.

He joined a parish in Mechanicville, N.Y., and in 1983 became associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City. From 1985 to 1992, he served as associate pastor at Saint Rita of Cascia Parish, Philadelphia.

In 1992, he returned to St. Thomas Monastery in Villanova and served as a chaplain, first at Sacred Heart Hospital, Norristown, and then at the former Haverford State Hospital.

He is survived by a brother and sister, and several nieces and nephews.

A 9:30 a.m. visitation on Monday, Dec. 10, will be followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery Chapel, 800 E. Lancaster Ave., on the university campus. Interment is in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Donations may be made to the Care of Sick and Elderly Augustinians Fund, c/o Provincial Offices, 214 Ashwood Rd., P.O. Box 340, Villanova, Pa. 19085.