Anthony John Ipsaro, former superintendent of parochial schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a noted organizational consultant and psychological counselor, died May 25 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, at his Fells Point home.
He was 79.
The son of Italian immigrants, Dr. Ipsaro was born and raised in Cleveland, where he graduated in 1950 from Cathedral Latin High School.
He was a 1954 graduate of the University of Dayton, and three years later earned a master's degree in educational administration from St. John's University.
In 1965, he earned his doctorate in organization and administration from the Catholic University of America, and a second doctorate in 1984 in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. He also completed two postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University.
Dr. Ipsaro had been an ordained brother in the Society of Mary — also known as the Marianists — for 36 years until leaving the religious order in 1986.
Dr. Ipsaro began his teaching career in Pittsburgh and later was assistant principal and teacher at Chaminade High School on Long Island, N.Y.
He came to Baltimore in 1964 when he was named principal of Cardinal Gibbons High School, a position he held for two years until being appointed superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1966.
Dr. Ipsaro left Baltimore in 1968 and became an assistant professor of graduate studies in education at the University of Notre Dame. During the 1970s he was a special consultant for innovative programs at the University of Dayton and then a teaching affiliate in the School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver.
For the past 25 years, until returning to Baltimore this year, Dr. Ipsaro was an organizational consultant and psychologist in Denver.
He was the author of "White Men, Women & Minorities in the Changing Work Force," published in 1997.
A memorial Mass was offered May 28 at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.
Surviving are his wife of 18 years, the former Barbara LaPorter Bagli; two stepsons, Vince Bagli Jr. of Baltimore and Tom Bagli of Boulder, Colo.; four stepdaughters, Libby Nagle of Timonium, Meg Bagli McNamara and Missy Bagli Valletta, both of Towson, and Tracy Bagli Hooper of Portland, Ore.; three brothers, Salvatore Ipsaro, Blaise Ipsaro and Vincent Ipsaro, all of Cleveland; and 15 step-grandchildren.