Michael John Garippa, Sr.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Michael John Garippa, 64, of Great Kills, a retired teacher, professional bodybuilder, and dedicated family man and friend, died Saturday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, following a short illness.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Garippa had lived in Great Kills for nine years.

He was a retired high school English teacher, and had worked for the former city Board of Education for 27 years. Most recently, he taught at Brooklyn's High School of Civil Rights, a post he held for 13 years.

Mr. Garippa obtained his bachelor's and master's degree from Brooklyn College, and a second master's degree from the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook.

He had been a professional body builder for 40 years. He also was a motorcycle enthusiast and an avid reader, known to read everything from Greek mythology and English and Greek literature to sports biographies. Because of his varied interests, he was called "Renaissance man,'' by his wife, Joyceann.

"He was a doting father,'' she said. "He was an incredible uncle as well. He was a great friend to many.''

Surviving, along with his wife of nearly nine years, are his sons, Todd and Michael John Jr., and a brother, Philip.

The funeral will be Wednesday 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 Great Kills. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Queens.