Ralph “Tripp” Raymond Racioppi, 77, of West Point, VA, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Born in Cannes, France, in 1947 to Dominick and Genevieve Racioppi, Tripp dedicated his life to his family and our country. He was married for 50 years to the love of his life, Roberta J. Racioppi, and their love and partnership was an inspiration.
Tripp leaves behind two daughters, Jennifer “Gigi” Jordan (Brandon) and Catherine Blair Racioppi, who cherished him dearly. He was a beloved “Gumpy” to his two grandchildren, Jacqueline and Charles Jordan, who brought immense joy to his life. He is also survived by his nephew G. Scott Peay (Jessica), and his great-niece Charlotte and great-nephew John Robert.
Tripp’s unwavering commitment to protecting and defending our country was a testament to his character. Following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served with distinction until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1995. Throughout his military career, he earned numerous medals and commendations, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He was most proud of his work in Korea and Haiti. After retiring from the Army, he continued to serve his country as a Senior Watch Officer at the Joint Operations Center, US Joint Forces Command, from 1995 through 2012. During that time he was awarded The Joint Civilian Service Achievement Award for exceptionally meritorious service in support of the Department of Defense.
Known for his dry sense of humor, love for Sci-Fi, and passion for history, Tripp was a man of many interests. He was deeply involved in his community, dedicating his time to organizations such as the VFW, Knights of Columbus, Special Olympics, and West Point Gun Club. His daily prayer was a poignant reminder of his devotion to his fellow servicemen and women: “Remember those that have not returned.” Family and friends recall his knack for storytelling, often sharing tales from his life or things he learned along the way. His laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday, May 31st at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 3570 King William Ave, West Point, VA 23181 with a reception immediately following at the Van Den Boogaard Center. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm, on Thursday, May 30th at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181. A private burial will take place at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church – Haitian Sister Parish Campaign at 207 W. Euclid Boulevard, West Point, VA 23181, or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/
