Section XI is sad about the loss of longtime Copiague wrestling coach, Anthony Cipriano.

Known to everyone in the community as “Coach Cip,” Anthony grew up in Copiague, graduating from Walter G. O’Connell High School.

He won his 100th career dual meet last season and was at the helm of the program for 15 years.

Anthony enjoyed family, teaching, coaching, mentoring his students and athletes, sporting events, pizza at Joe’s and hamburgers.

He had a passion for sports, and it led him to create the “Captains Club Wrestling Foundation”, a non profit (501-c3) so to provide support to athletes and their families.

He is survived by his beloved family – his mother, Gloria; his siblings – Christina Campbell, Lisa (Joseph) Hilker and Nicholas Cipriano, III; his great-grandmother, Edie Miozzi; his aunt, Patricia Cipriano and his uncle, Ronald (Eileen) Cipriano. Also surviving are the children of whom he is the caring Guardian – Empress, Alfonso and Roman Staubitz; his nieces and nephews – Nat and Jen Campbell, Tony and Erin Campbell, Gina and Joe Lasturka, Nikki Hilker, Allie Cipriano and Nicholas Cipriano, IV; and his great-nieces and nephews – Mikayla, Nat and Jacob Campbell, Tony and Gavin Campbell; and William Lastuvka.