By almost anyone’s standard, Louis J. “Zeke” Trupo would have been considered a good man. He was a husband, father, grandfather, veteran, public servant and avid man of faith and so much more.

 

All of those things, on their own, would have made Trupo’s life matter. And while those things, particularly his family and his faith, were probably the most important things to Trupo, it was his time serving the United States in World War II where Zeke Trupo would become a household name to many in our area and beyond for decades.

 

Trupo, who passed away Thursday at the age of 97 at the Louis A. Johnson Veteran’s Administration Hospital, was a legitimate hero with a story that was hard enough to fathom that it actually was featured by Ripley’s “Believe it or Not.”

 

During his service with the Marines in World War II, Trupo was serving in the battle against Japan on several fronts – all with distinction. Yet, it was an incident at Tinian at the Mariana Islands in the Pacific where Louis J. “Zeke” Trupo’s service became known worldwide.

 

In July of 1944, Trupo was part of the American forces looking to assume command of the island. During the fighting, he was bowled over when he felt a blow to his chest as the result of a Japanese sniper’s bullet. Trupo crawled away, but he was injured and later taken by flight to Saipan where half a bullet was removed from his body.

 

The reason for half a bullet was that it struck a spoon in his shirt pocket and split. The other half went through a prayer book and lodged in his chest. The other went through his right thigh.

 

Without the prayer book, it’s highly likely more damage could have been done. With it, he went on to a full life of public service on just about every level.

 

“I give full credit to God for saving my life.  I am so grateful," Trupo said to Trina Runner in a story that ran on Connect-Bridgeport in 2015 about the incident that made Ripley’s.

 

Born in Clarksburg, a graduate of Victory High and finally a Bridgeport resident, Trupo battled throughout the Pacific theater. In fact, he was the recipient of two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained at Tinian and Iwo Jima.

 

His post war journey included marrying the former Ada Pinion and had three children. He worked for more than three decades in the local glass industry during its heyday.

 

It was during these years that he became active in the community. Along with being involved with the founding and management of the Harrison County Emergency Squad as well as having medical training, he was also a justice of the peace and a Harrison County Magistrate. His move to Bridgeport included a stint on Bridgeport City Council.

 

It was during his time as a justice of the peace that current City Council member Lowell “L.J.” Maxey had his first encounter with Trupo. Maxey said he respected him then and maintained that respect even to this very day.

 

“When I came here in the mid-70s as a state trooper he was a justice of the peace then. That was my first interaction with him and you could tell he was a man that commanded respect and it was respect that was earned. Mr. Trupo had a long history of public service and anyone that knows him knows it goes back to his time with Marines and carried on for decades after that,” said Maxey.

 

Maxey, like others, is aware of his story of survival through the most unique of circumstances. He said he has no problem in saying Trupo made the most of the opportunity provided that day during World War II.

 

“You hear the story of how his life was saved by the Holy Book and he was open to talking about the blessing of that moment,” said Maxey. “If he was trying to serve as an example of that blessing from that point, I can tell you from the time I met him to when I last saw him when he invited me into his house when I was campaigning, he met that goal. Talk to anyone that knew Zeke Trupo and you won’t hear a derogatory word.

 

“It’s a sad day knowing he’s gone, but he led a full life. It’s just a tremendous loss for this city and our region and huge loss for his family,” Maxey continued. “He was a good man and a fair man. That alone is a pretty good legacy, but with Mr. Trupo there was much more than that.”

 

Those wishing to visit Trupo can do so at All Saints Catholic Church on Main Street in Bridgeport Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services are set for Monday at 11 a.m. with interment set following the service at the Bridgeport Cemetery.

 

Click HERE for the complete obituary.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Louis Trupo at a Challenger League opening day where veterans were honored. Middle photo show Trupo with family and local dignitaries after the Lodgeville Road Bridge was named in his honor. In the bottom photo, Trupo is shown signing autographs for youngsters of his Ripley's story at the Challenger League opener.