Captain Archy Lupia, age 96, died peacefully in his Reno home on November 13, 2017 with family and Mel, his caregiver of 4 years, at his side.

Archy was born February 14, 1921 in Jersey City, NJ to Harry Illario Lupia and Emily Soldo. The elder of two sons, he grew up in East Orange, NJ and graduated from East Orange H.S. in 1938 then Harvard University in 1942 with a BA in Government. He enlisted in the US Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign in June, 1943.

During WWII he served with the amphibious attack forces in the Pacific Theater on two ships as First Lieutenant and Executive Officer. When the ship returned stateside, he traveled to San Francisco where he met and courted Carol Cherney from Flandreau, SD who was visiting her sister. They became engaged and married six weeks later on June 14, 1947 in Washington, D.C.

During his 32 year distinguished career in the US Navy, Captain Lupia served on eight different ships and was proud to be the commanding officer of both the USS CASTOR (AKS 1) home ported in Sasebo, Japan and the USS HORNE (DLG 30) home ported in San Diego. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and U.S. Army War College, he served in many capacities and locations including Vietnam. Archy was elected an Associate Professor and NROTC instructor at Dartmouth College and spent time in the Pentagon, his acknowledged best duty station working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff; it was during this time he earned his MS in International Affairs from George Washington University. His last assignment was Director of Manpower Management setting quotas for the Navy’s Masters and PhD programs.

He retired from the Navy on January 1, 1974 and moved with Carol to Flandreau, SD, where they lived for 20 years and were very active in the church and the Moody County Museum. In 1994, they moved to Henderson, NV, then to Reno, NV in 2005 to be near family.

Archy was quite gregarious, outgoing and a life-long learner who never shied away from speaking his mind. He was a gifted singer who could play the piano by ear. He was a member of the Harvard Glee Club in college and continued singing in various choirs until his death. He was also an avid golfer and gardener. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and was lovingly involved and supportive in their lives.

While we miss him terribly, we know that he is now with Jesus and Carol, watching over the loved ones they left behind and that one day we’ll be together again.

Archy is survived by his four children: Christie Gescheider (Bruce) of Reno, NV, David Lupia (Denise) of Rancho Mirage, CA, Jonathan Lupia (Peeb) of Durango, CO and Carol Smith (Scott) of Edina, MN; six accomplished grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Moody County Historical Society, P.O. Box 25, Flandreau, SD, 57028 or to your favorite charity.

Archy will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife Carol; at that time there will be a service and celebration of his life.