John R Pisapia

John R. Pisapia, EdD, 79, a resident of Highland Beach, Florida and a true citizen of the world passed away on May 2, 2017. His is approach to living life well was captured in his favorite Leonardo da Vinci quote “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

John was born in 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, the first of six children. He was the son of the late Carmine and Josephine Pisapia of Dover, DE. He and his wife, the late Barbara Romano Pisapia, had a remarkable marriage and life together. Their generous spirit and love for family, friends, and travel made indelible marks on all who encountered them.

John lived an amazing life, always abiding by his motto – Enjoy The Journey. Through his professional leadership, academic appointments, teachings, writings, and around the world speaking engagements, John had a profound impact on generations of students, teachers and colleagues.

Dr. Pisapia was a Department Chairman and member of the Florida Atlantic University faculty for the last twenty years, most recently serving as a Professor of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology. Dr. Pisapia was also the Founder and Director of the Strategic Leader Network, a global learning community focused on the principles of strategic leadership. Dr. Pisapia’s work in strategic thinking and execution received national and international recognition.

John’s academic reach encompassed much of the globe through his visiting lectures on Change Leadership, transforming universities, schools, corporations, and governments. Professor Pisapia was honored countless times for his work including being named as a Fulbright Scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; a Scholar in Residence at the Chinese-American Center, Hong Kong; and, an Adam Smith Research Professor at the University of Glasgow. His papers appeared in dozens of national and international professional journals. He received a distinguished service award for profound leadership in international education by the International Schools Association and was recognized by the American Association of School Superintendents with its first Professor of the Year.

Before embarking on an international life John grew up in Dover, DE and attended Glenville State College (WV) on a football scholarship. He earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from West Virginia University. In his early career, Dr. Pisapia was a teacher, coach, high school principal, and West Virginia Superintendent of Schools. He was a tenured professor at WVU and tenured professor and Department Chairman at Virginia Commonwealth University where he also served as the Founding Director of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC).

He is survived by his son, Gianni Lapis (Chappell) of Frametown, WV, and stepchildren Pamela Ritchie Baynes (Scott) of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Jim Ritchie (Evelyn) of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren Caroline Ritchie, Jimmy Ritchie and Anna Grace Ritchie; sisters Jo Ann Walsh Harpster (Bruce) of Venice, FL and Therese Rike (Edward) of Midlothian, VA; and, brothers Carmine Pisapia (Patricia) of Virginia Beach, VA, Victor Pisapia (Jim) of Sydney, Australia, and Ralph Pisapia (Linda) of Meredith, NH.

He was passionate about fine wine, good bread, jazz music and new adventures. To his grandchildren, he was their Pop Pop and the source of great affection, real life wisdom and many funny stories. They adored him! Not long ago, he sent an email to them that expressed his approach to living a meaningful and joyful life: “I am on a plane flying home from Melbourne as my Summer Away comes to an end. I visited Chicago, San Francisco, the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, South Korea, Japan, and Australia…. As I learned long ago - it's only when you make the journey that you are ready to see the beauty in the world. I have seen the beauty and hope you get an opportunity to do so also. Enjoy the Journey, Pop Pop.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the John and Barbara Pisapia Doctoral Research Fund (3R153) at West Virginia University, WVU Foundation, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26505-1650 or to the Florida Atlantic University Foundation (EDU300), FAU Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, ED47, Suite 260, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

A celebration of the life and work of John Pisapia will be held on May 11, 2017 at 10:00am at The FAU Club, 777 Glades Road, Engineering East Building 96, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

Arrangements entrusted to Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Deerfield Beach, FL.