MINERS TO MULTI-MILLIONAIRES--THESE 2 COAL REGION BROTHERS DONATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NEEDY GROUPS & TOWNS. Click LIKE if you miss the generosity of Ralph & Daniel Cipko.
These 2 brothers were born in Lansford to Slovakian immigrants. They took the same mining & factory jobs & lived in the same house. As devout Catholic the Cipko brothers led frugal lives. Thanks to shrewd investments the brothers amassed a fortune estimated at $300 million. I remember Ralph & Daniel were frequent visitors to WLSH Radio during the Bud & Alice Angst days. I recall Ralph driving that old 1980 Plymouth & was shocked to learn from Alice they were millionaires..
The Cipko brothers first notable donation was in 1994--$75,000 to Marian HS. It's been said the Cipkos donated over $6 million to Catholic schools, churches, & organizations throughout the Dioceses of Allentown & Scranton plus the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Local recipients included St. Joseph's Regional Academy Jim Thorpe, SS. Peter & Paul's in Lehighton, St. Michael's in Lansford, & St. Jerome's in Tamaqua to list a few.
The Cipkos donated to animal shelters, veterans groups, & local cancer society. They paid to restore the Carbon County courthouse clock, Palmerton's town hall clock, helped to restore the #9 Mine & Museum. Lansford received money for Christmas decorations, a gazebo in Kennedy Park, & a drug-sniffing dog named Ajax. The Cipkos donated a 20 acre parcel of land for the Berlinsville Boy Scouts.
How much did these generous philanthropists donate down through the years? Nobody is certain...a couple thousand here...a couple thousand there. In 2003 the Cipko Brothers were given the Humanitarian Award for donating 5,000 sweaters for children Bosnia. In 1999, there was even a Ralph & Daniel Cipko Fan Club formed to honor the generosity of this coal region duo. Were you a member?
Daniel Cipko, the more outgoing & flamboyant of the two passed away in 2006 at the age of 76. Brother Ralph, the quiet & reserved brother, died in 2008 at the age of 86.
Coal Region Connections pays tribute to Ralph & Daniel Cipko for their generosity to our area & beyond. May you both rest in peace.
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