Stephen B (K1iiG) Tripp

Stephen Bruce Tripp (K1iiG) of Wallingford passed on June 22, 2021 after a 9-month battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. He was born in Hartford, CT on January 12, 1944 to Rollin and Catherine (Patterson) Tripp.

He grew up in Hartford, Bloomfield and Jewett City, CT. He was proud of his British roots and of being Griswold High Class of '62 Best Dancer. A self-proclaimed geek, he studied electronics at Hartford State Technical College.

Steve's passion was Ham Radio. He proudly earned his Amateur Radio Operator's License at age 14. His expertise landed him a life-long job at SNET (now AT&T) where he claimed bragging rights to "making the first cell phone call in CT."

Steve leaves behind his wife, Marsha (Badenhop-Tinella) Tripp; grandsons, Devon and Dylan Tripp of Jewett City, CT; sisters Claudia (Bob) Stratton of Murietta, CA and Kathy Schweickert of Venice FL; two nephews and loving caregiver, Deb Negralle. In addition, he leaves step-daughters, Gina Carlson and Angie Tinella, four step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Steve always said his friends were family. Family from across the country that he leaves include classmates from high school and college; coworkers from SNET; Ham Radio Buddies (ARRL) where his call sign K1iiG was known around the world; lodge members from Wallingford Elks #1365 and members of the VFW Post #591.

One of Steve's favorite sayings was "Readers are Leaders and Writers are Brighter." In that spirit, donations may be made to Literacy Volunteers, 5 Science Park #1, New Haven, CT 06511 or to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 who treated Steve like a family member.

Steve's family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., Wallingford. A celebration of life will follow at 4:00 PM. Interment at Center Street Cemetery in Wallingford will be at the convenience of the family.

88's and 73's to an unforgettable Silent Key.

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