Joseph A. Rappa, a near lifelong resident of Marlboro, NY passed away on 11 October, 2 weeks short of his 99th birthday. He was born in 1924 in Manhattan.
He was cared for and died at the home of his daughter Diane DeVore (Chuck) in Texas. He also is survived by son Joe (Lisa), and daughter Stephanie Hartell (Steve), three granddaughters Colleen, Jennie, and Amy, and his sister Ann Desmond. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Judy, and granddaughter Larissa Rappa.
The son of Sicilian immigrants, he made his way in life by becoming a professional butcher, which he worked as for 40 years. He also was a World War II veteran of the Navy Seabees, landing in Normandy on the heels of D-Day, working to repair battle damage in the key port of Cherbourg, France, which was used to advance the Allied cause. He remained in the Seabees as a reservist, retiring in 1984, after 40 years of service. Instilled with the Seabee mantra, “we build, we fight,” Joe knew how to fix or build almost anything. Though in truth, he wasn’t known as a fighter. But he for sure embodied half of the mantra.
Quiet, steady, and reliable, Joe provided well for his family. He never missed a concert or school play, loved his granddaughters, and maintained an impressive garden with unmatched tomatoes. He also was a great cook, commandeering the kitchen to bake trays of lasagna, can tomatoes and fry zucchini flowers.
Arrangements are being made for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at Wish.Org