Bernard P Zipprich

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Bernard P. Zipprich, Sr. 87, of Great Kills, an Army veteran, retired printer and community activist whose efforts helped save the Great Kills waterfront, died Friday in Eger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville, where he had resided since 2013.

Born in Manhattan, Mr. Zipprich grew up in New Dorp. He graduated from New Dorp High School and attended the New York School of Printing, Manhattan. He served in the U.S. Army's 23rd Infantry from 1946-1947, and attained the rank of corporal.

He apprenticed and worked as a photo-engraver at Starr Engraving and later Intaglio Service Corporation/Master Eagle Family of Companies in Manhattan. He later owned and operated The Country Squire Press, Annadale, and worked as a printer for the city Board of Education, before retiring in 1994.

An avid sailor, Mr. Zipprich was a member of the Richmond County Yacht Club for more than 60 years and served on its board of governors. He enjoyed racing small class sail boats and sailing his 32-foot sloop up and down the East Coast. He was also a 65-year member of the Staten Island Power Squadron, and was a founding member of the Olde Gaffers Society of Great Kills Harbor.

Mr. Zipprich was a community activist who fought the City of New York in the 1960s and 70s along with many neighbors for storm sewer installation in his Great Kills community.

In the early 1970s Mr. Zipprich used his printing business as a vehicle to protect the South Shore of Staten Island from offshore development. He and a group of local fisherman and sailors from Great Kills banded together, founded the "Waterfront Watch," and lobbied against the development of offshore lands that would eventually become The Gateway National Recreation Area.

During the 1990's Zipprich was instrumental in bringing back the Great Kills Memorial Day Parade. He was selected to serve as the parade's Grand Marshall in 2009.

Mr. Zipprich was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church and was also a member of the Assumption Council, Knights of Columbus, for 56 years.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean; his sons, Bernard and Red Bank, N.J. Councilman Edward J.; his daughters, Elizabeth A. Ghent and Capt. Jean M. Kelahan (USPHS, Ret.), and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's R.C. Church, both in Great Kills. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.