Philip Junior Hipe

Born in Middletown, New York, December 13, 1927.

Parents Philip E. Hipe and Virginia Wakeman Hipe Bauer. No siblings.

He attended Middletown High School until he enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17.

Phil always had that entrepreneur spirit and while in the Navy aboard the USS DeLong he ran a photography studio. When the war ended he went back to finish his education and attended engineering classes in Washington, DC.

He married Elizabeth Dean in the early 1950’s and became the father of Philip Hipe III and Deborah Ann Hipe Cullin. He was then owner of the Wurtsboro Sport Shop with a store in Wurtsboro, NY and in Middletown, N.Y. After his first marriage ended he met and then married Fannie D’Ambrosi in 1959. Together they had one child, Laura Lynn Hipe who they proudly raised with her older siblings, Philip and Deborah.

In 1961 they expanded the business to include a development on Swinging Bridge Lake in Sullivan County, New York. Outboard Alley Inc. became their first real estate development. Soon after with the encouragement of their attorney and partner, the late Eugene O’Gorman, they purchased additional acreage. First and Second Mongaup Corporations, included Mongaup Lodge which comprised of a small hotel, restaurant and marina and Seaplane Base. Phil developed a 100 boat slip marina, together with dry land storage, marine sales, and repair facilities. Lakeside developments of Swinging Bridge Estates and Swinging Bridge Campgrounds followed.

In 1963 winters were rough on the family and Phil and Fannie purchased a boat rental called Surfside Boat Rentals in North Miami Beach which he ran in the winter months until the early 1970’s, at which time they started to sell parts of the Sullivan County businesses. New York Magazine ran an article on the Campground that had the business skyrocket. The authors of the book “Wilderness for Sale” cited the campground as the best in New York State.

In 1977, after having sold the major entities of their businesses in New York, the Hipes moved to Key Largo in the Florida Keys, with their youngest daughter and entrepreneur Phil went into the insulation business with his dearest friend the late Walter “Buddy” LeVan. It was located in Homestead, FL and called the Key Insulation Co. In 1981 the family ventured on vacation to Lake Burton, Georgia and ended up buying a home with property on the lake. This led to the Hipes moving to Georgia and Phil building homes on speculation. Phil’s love of flying lured him back to Florida to the community of Indian River Aerodrome, in Vero Beach where the Hipes have resided since 1987. He bought and sold general aviation aircraft through his business of Carousel Air, Inc. and invested in local real estate ventures until fully retiring in December of 2016.

Phil was predeceased by his parents and leaves behind his wife Fannie of (66) years; his son Philip Hipe III of Guntersville AL, together with his wife Eileen; his daughter Deborah Ann Cullin of Key Largo FL, together with her husband Bob, and his youngest daughter Laura Hipe of Gainesville FL; also granddaughter Jacquelyn Bello of Key Largo; great granddaughter Angelina Bello and great grandson Phoenix Bello of Key Largo, and grandson Sean Hipe of Guntersville AL. 2020 brought the Hipes their son’s long lost daughter Jennifer Baker and her children Andrew, Joseph and Savanah, who reside in Ogden UT and Denver CO. Last week Andrew became a father and his son Colt is now Phil’s great-great grandson.

From an early age, Phil’s sportsmanship was apparent in his business and community activities. He was secretary for the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs in New York State. He encouraged the formation of the Save Our Lakes committee in Sullivan County, NY, which fought the pollution of the Mongaup River and its tributaries. In the Florida Keys he served as Rear Commodore for the Florida Keys Sailing Club. He has encouraged General Aviation among our youth through his affiliation with the Quiet Birdmen, the EAA, the AOPA, and our local Florida Aero Club. Phil’s philosophy was to work hard and to play hard! He loved and served his country in WWII and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great-grandfather and citizen.