Ernest Peter Cipriano

Ernest Peter Cipriano died on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the age of 101, surrounded by his children. His passing was just six weeks after that of his wife of 68 years. He was born September 23, 1912, to immigrant Italian parents Mary and John Cipriano in Little Italy in New York City, NY, one of seven children to live to adulthood. After elementary school, he was apprenticed to a cobbler but, upon finishing his apprenticeship, realized this was not the career for him. He chose to complete high school at night and then obtained a B.A. in Business Administration from City College of New York at night, all while holding down a full-time job. He later did postgraduate work in accounting at Stanford University and was a licensed public accountant.

During World War II, Ernie volunteered for the Navy and was stationed on the West Coast, purchasing naval supplies first in Hawaii and then later in San Francisco where he met and married native Californian Claire Croak in 1945. Settling in California, he lived and worked briefly in the Bay Area after the war. However, seeing greater opportunity in Southern California, he soon brought his wife and infant daughter to the Los Angeles area. He settled his family first in Encino and later in Tarzana. He was employed as a credit manager and then worked his way up management, finally becoming President of Weslock Company until his retirement. As he climbed the career ladder, he managed to raise seven children while also overcoming several challenges. His wife contracted polio in the 1950’s, which left him with sole responsibility for their children for two years. Later, a ride to test out his son’s motorcycle resulted in an accident, leaving him with major injuries including deafness in one ear; yet he returned to work several months later.

After his retirement, he and Claire moved to Thousand Oaks in 1987. His enthusiasm for life kept him on a constant quest to broaden his horizons. He worked for a time as a real estate broker. In addition, he volunteered for many years with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and with HICAP at Goebel Senior Center. He also worked with SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives), mentoring budding entrepreneurs.

He and Claire both loved to travel and were fortunate to see many parts of the world, first as part of his work and later after both retired. An avid golfer, Ernie played well into his 90s, often helping to organize tournaments. He was an articulate, literate man who loved to read history, Shakespeare, and mysteries. He was proud of his Italian heritage and in later years took classes in the Italian language. An active, vigorously athletic person, he was the life of any party; his broad smile and vivacity would light up any room. He had the capacity to talk to anyone in any situation — formal, informal, public speaking — a trait that stood him well both in business and in his personal life. Even in his 90s and with two artificial knees, he would actively participate in the family volleyball games.

Ernie is survived by six of his seven children: Patricia; Jerry and his wife Renata; Barbara and her husband Steve Yundt; Bill and his wife Terri; Eileen; and Cathleen and her husband Ray Mogg as well as his sister Emily Farina. His wife Claire and son Bob predeceased him. Ernie also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Matthew Yundt; Bob’s sons Cody and Casey; Bill’s sons James, Tony, Michael, and Dan; and Nicole and Morgan Mogg.

A Funeral Mass in celebration of Ernie’s life will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church, Thousand Oaks; burial with Military Honors will follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Simi Valley, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association in his loving memory.