South Deerfield, MA – Albin J. “Joe” Ripka, 84 of South Deerfield, died on November 26, 2025, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born on October 18, 1941, the son of Albin and Caroline I (Kozlowski) Ripka.
Born and raised in S. Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1960 and Babson College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He was an Industrial Accountant for 14 years, working for Ford Motor Company, General Electric, Hamilton Standard (a division of United Technologies), Ingersoll Rand, and Standex International Company.
Joe Ripka established the A.J. Ripka Tax Accounting Business in 1977 and took over the family farm.
He was known for exceptional small-fruit production and was among the first to commercialize raspberry production in the 1970s. He also introduced Silver Queen sweet corn and seedless watermelons to the area-his technique for producing sweet, flavorful strawberries involved adjusting soil acidity and adding micro nutrients.
He leaves his wife Judith (Neidl), a daughter Michelle Regish of Hadley, a son Joseph, and daughter-in-law Jodi of South Hadley, a sister Georgianna Swinerton, a grandson Lucas, four stepchildren, Skip, John, Robert, and Kimberly Sobieski, and their spouses and step grandchildren Amelia, Summer, Faythe, Kaz, Kalia, Hayden, Mae, Evie, Rogan, Alita, and a niece Stepanie Goodwin and a nephew Geoffrey Swinerton.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday December 5 from 9am-11am with an In House service starting at 11am at the Wrisley Funeral Home, 90 Sugarloaf Street South Deerfield.
Wrisley Funeral Home
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