Born in Orange to Ernest and Jean Gaipa, Mr. Gaipa lived most of his life in West Orange. He was a 1972 graduate of Our Lady of the Valley High School, Orange, and a 1974 graduate of Union College with an associate's degree in business. He was an electrician with BTNJ Power and Automation Electrical Contractor of Clifton for nine years. Mr. Gaipa was a member of IBEW Local 102 of Parsippany. He was a member of the Orange Elks, past member of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge, member and past president of the Old Guard of Camp Glen Gray, a life member of the West Orange First Aid Squad, and was the beloved scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 6 of West Orange for 16 years.

Excerpted, The Star-Ledger, October 2, 2010