NEWS, SPORTS, COMMENTARY, POLITICS for Gloucester City and the Surrounding Areas of South Jersey and Philadelphia

Mary E. "Mae" Wolfram, 90, of Westmont
Ruth A. Schultz (nee Borden), 92 of West Deptford, formerly of Gloucester City

Ralph Louis Ipri, Winningest Boys High School Tennis Coach, Record 956 W-90 L

Ralph Louis Ipri, 81, of Woodbury, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023. 

Legacy

He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend.  He loved to be around his family, especially his grandchildren. Earlier in his life he attended LaSalle University and earned his BA in History. Then went on to attend Rowan University and obtained a MA in Elementary Education.  Ralph was hired by Glassboro School District to teach Middle School Social Studies and Boys Tennis (1965/66 - 1969).  Glassboro boy's tennis teams won 4 Conference Championships.  He was Hired by Cherry Hill High School East to teach Cosmetology in 1970 and coach Varsity Boys Tennis.  Career record wins 956 wins vs 90 losses.  As of May 6, 2011, date of retirement from coaching,

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Ralph Louis Ipri 1942 - 2023

held a record of most wins of any boys high school tennis coach in the USA.  He was South Jersey Tennis Coaches Coach of the Year 1979, 1980, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2002, and 2004. He also won the Boys Tennis Tournament of Champions Winner and No. 1 team in the State 1991, 41 Conference Titles, 32 Group IV South Titles, and 10 Group IV State Titles.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame 1993, South Jersey Tennis Hall of Fame 1996, South Jersey Coaches Association Hall of Fame for Olympic Conference, Boys Tennis 2012, and Camden County Sports Hall of Fame 2013.  His National Federation of State High school Associations Awards are 2004 National Coach of the Year in the sport of Boys Tennis, 2004 Northeast Sectional Coach of the Year for Sports of Boys Tennis, and 2004 N.J. State Coach of the Year in the sport of Boys Tennis. He coached #1 Boys High School Tennis Team in South Jersey "Courier Post Cups" 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2004, and 2007.  Ralph was an avid golfer who played at Woodbury Country Club, Trump National Golf Club and Pine Valley Golf Club.  He also enjoyed spending winters in Florida with his wife Nancy, the love of his life.

Family

He is the beloved husband of 59 1/2 years to Nancy K. Ipri (nee Colligan).  Devoted father of Richard Ipri (Becky) and Lisa Dantinne (Richie).  Treasured grandfather of Nicholas, Johnny, Tatiana, Isabella, Jaclyn and John.  Dear Brother-in-law to Cathie and (Craig). Predeceased by his parents Madeline and Valentine Ipri and his brother Valentine and sister-in-law Mary (Mike). He will be greatly missed by nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Farewell Tribute

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Friday, December 29th from 8:30AM to 10:15AM in the McGuinness Funeral Home-(Woodbury Location) 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.  Funeral Mass at 11:00AM in Holy Angels Parish at St. Patrick's Church 86 Cooper Street Woodbury NJ 08096. Entombment to follow at Eglington Cemetery Clarksboro, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Parish 86 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096 or American Cancer Society www.cancer.org. 

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