Lt. Col. Ralph G Okrepkie, Ret

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph G. Okrepkie, Retired, passed away August 1, 2015 in his home in CT. Col. Okrepkie was born in Newark Valley, New York on October 19, 1925, and was a Trumbull resident for over forty years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, and in the U.S. Air Force Reserve with a total of thirty-four years of service. In 1979, Col. Okrepkie was awarded the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional service for the Armed Forces of the United States. He also was awarded nine other awards for service during World War II and the Korean conflict. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 58 years, Anne Mayer Okrepkie, and their family including Anne Adams and her husband, Douglas, along with their sons, Austin and Kyle of Massachusetts; R. George Okrepkie and his wife, Sharon, and their children, Jack, Kelly and Nicholas of Long Island; Amy Okrepkie Antonini and her husband, Michael, and their children, Johnny and Frankie (Francesca) of Trumbull; Kate Luedtke and her husband, Bradley, and their children, Logan and Braeden of Trumbull; and Kelly Okrepkie Aversa and her husband, Joseph. He is also survived by his sister, Lori Farnon of West Milford, New Jersey; and Virginia Yacyniak and her husband, Russ, of Little Falls, New Jersey; several cousins including two especially dear to him, Mary Buckingham and her brother, Joseph Okrepkie, of New York. He has dear nieces and nephews as well, including Jack Mayer of Aiken, South Carolina, who provided many happy memories of past events they shared. He was predeceased by his father, John Okrepkie, and his mother, Sophie Strba, as well as his sisters, Betty Ann Henry of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Anastasia Zimmerman of Nokomis, Illinois., and a brother, Michael O'Krepki of Berkshire, New York. At the completion of World War II and his service in the Navy, he went back to Newark Valley Central High School to obtain his high school diploma, after which he went on to Fairleigh Dickinson College and Syracuse University. He was also a graduate and Life Member of the USAF Air War College. During his residence in New York State and, later, after having moved to Trumbull, he spent many pleasant visits with his cousins hunting deer which the families shared so we could all enjoy Spiedies (wine drenched deer meat kabobs) on the grill. He looked forward to being in the woods and the camaraderie of his family rather than the hunting portion of the event. He was a Life Member and past New Jersey State Commander for the Military Order of Foreign Wars; Life Member of the Retired Officers Association; past President of the Empire Chapter Air Force Association, New York City; Life Member and Past President of the American Society of Appraisers, greater New York City and Northern New Jersey; Past Governor ASA Region 15; a Fellow of the Society of Valuers and Auctioneers, London, England; a member of the International Board of Examiners for American Society of Appraisers; member of Post 1371 V.F.W., Owego, New York; member of Post 141 American Legion, Trumbull, CT; and Arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association. He was certified and testified as an Expert Witness in the New York Supreme Court of Manhattan, Queens and Bronx. He was deeply involved in the appraisals leading to the rehabilitation of Times Square. He served on the St. Theresa's Advisory Board for three years and also on Bishop Curtis' Fairfield Diocese Advisory Board for 2 years as well as past President of St. Theresa's Trumbull Catholic Regional School Association. He was selected for "Who's Who in the East" numerous times. He enjoyed many active years as a member of the Lions Club serving as founding member and past President of the Trumbull Center Lions Club, 1995-96. He served for many years as an advisor for Junior Achievement of the Greater Bridgeport area. He was a founding member and past president of the Nutmeg Car Club, an antique and specialty car group. He previously owned two Ford Model "A" Roadsters, 1931, complete with rumble seats. He was a consultant appraiser since 1971 till his retirement ten years ago. He was a candidate for the office of First Selectman for the town of Trumbull in 1971 and 1973. He was past President of the Trumbull Council of Concerned Citizens and also instrumental in preserving the Pequonnock Valley from a large dam project in Trumbull, CT. He was a big believer in supporting his local community, monitoring local politics, and "speaking his piece" as illustrated by his active participation in voicing his opinions in the local newspapers. One word that best described him was "tenacious" which accounted for his love of his church, his family, Trumbull and life in general.His funeral services was held on Wednesday August 5, at Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukranian Catholic Church, Bridgeport, CT. Contributions can be made in his name to St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, South Dakota (Lakota/Sioux School) .