Frank L. Ripa, 65, a life long Newporter, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center in Newport.

Born on July 16, 1947 in Newport, Rhode Island. He was a son of the late Frank J. and Caroline (Steadman) Ripa.

Frank attended Rogers High School. He was an avid reader and could often be seen painting and drawing at one of his favorite locations along Cliff Walk in Newport. He was a Vietnam era veteran who served in the Army in Germany as a tanker with the 70th armored division.

Frank is survived by his brothers Lloyd V. Ripa and his wife Barbara of Middletown, RI, Paul R. Ripa and his wife Melinda of Farmington, Maine and Michael A. Ripa of Portsmouth, RI, his sister Carol Ann Grenier and her husband Michael of Port St. Lucie, FL. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

A private funeral service with Military Honors was held today at Newport Memorial Park in Middletown, Rhode Island.