In a heartwarming reunion, the story of a long-lost cigarette lighter has brought joy to the family of a Vietnam veteran after nearly sixty years. The lighter, retrieved from the sands of Jones Beach, has finally been returned to the family of Marine Paul Shipley, who passed away in 2003.
The silver lighter, etched with a detailed map of Vietnam, traveled all the way from New York to Oregon over the weekend. Theresa Shipley, Paul’s widow, and their son Andrew were overcome with emotion when they received the cherished item that Paul often spoke about. Theresa, now 58, reflected on how Paul might have reacted, saying, “He wasn’t the kind of man to cry, but I think he would’ve shed a tear when he heard that he was getting his lighter back.”
The lighter had taken on a mythical status in the Shipley household over the years. Paul, who served two tours in Vietnam, would reminisce about it frequently. Unfortunately, he had lost it during the 1960s, after leaving his hometown on Long Island to start a new life on the West Coast.
Theresa remembered when they first met in the 1970s in Oregon, reuniting after Paul’s service had come to an end. He had turned to plumbing, a skill he learned overseas while setting up water purification systems for his fellow Marines. Despite his yearning for his lost lighter, it never occurred to Paul that he had inadvertently left it behind.
The story takes an intriguing turn as the lighter was picked up by Frank Livoti Jr., an Army paratrooper who noticed it on the beach during the late 1960s. Recognizing its importance, Frank’s father, Frank Livoti Sr., dedicated years to tracking down its rightful owner. Sadly, both men passed away before the mission could be completed, leaving the lighter untouched on a shelf in the younger Livoti’s office.
Years later, coincidence played a pivotal role. While celebrating his anniversary with his wife, Isaac Livoti, Frank Jr.’s son, met two other former Marines, one of whom was a private investigator. Hearing about the lighter’s history reignited a mission that had been dormant for decades. With the investigator’s assistance, the search for Paul Shipley’s family finally gained momentum.
When Frank Livoti Jr. reached out to Theresa, the news was met with excitement. “I was excited when I got the phone call from Frank,” she recounted. “It shows that there are still good people out there, and all is not lost. I know my husband would be thrilled.”
This past Sunday, the emotional culmination of the story occurred when Theresa presented the lighter to Andrew, who had only known about it through stories. The moment was so powerful that Andrew struggled to find his words, filled with gratitude and nostalgia for a father he lost at an early age.
Theresa spoke fondly of Paul, describing him as a devoted husband and father. “We had a good life, just Ma and Pa North America,” she remarked, recalling their simple but cherished togetherness.
For Frank Livoti Jr., this endeavor was more than just a matter of returning a sentimental item; it was about honoring his father’s memory and commitment to doing what was right. “I did it to honor my father,” he said, expressing satisfaction that his father’s wish to reunite the lighter with its owner finally came to fruition after over 50 years.
This touching story serves as a reminder that values such as patriotism, family bonds, and acts of kindness remain strong in our communities. As Paul Shipley’s legacy lives on through this lighter, the shared experiences and emotions among those who have served in the military continue to resonate, binding us together in the spirit of gratitude and honor for those who sacrificed so much.
