Obituary for Leo R. Rapacki
Leo R Rapacki passed away peacefully, age 94, on April 7, 2021 following a period of declining health.
He was born in rural Pennsylvania but after a few years moved to Jersey City, NJ and remained a country boy at heart.
In January of 1945, he joined the US Navy. He was a member of the original crew on the USS Leytes (CV32), commissioned on April 11, 1946, which entitled him to be a “Plank Owner” of one plank in the flight deck. He was Honorably Discharged in July 1946. After leaving the Navy, he met the love of his life and future wife, Rosemarie, on a blind date. After a few attempts, she agreed to go on another date. They were married in 1950.
After returning from the Navy, he began his 50 plus year career working at Western Electric, Lucent and AT&T, from 1944 to 1995, until he retired at the age of 70. He was an avid bowler and bowled into his 90’s. He really wanted to be a professional bowler, but his wife, the love of his life said no. He joined the Boy Scouts with his son in the early 70’s and never left them. He continued to be an active member of the Troop 5 committee in Maplewood, NJ. In 1992, he was awarded the Maple Leaf Award from the Maplewood NJ Civic Association for his volunteer service to the community.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie, of almost 71 years and his 4 children: Daughters Kathleen Bessinger and Bernadette Braun, Sons Leo B. Rapacki and spouse Linda, Robert Rapacki and spouse Kelly, and 1 sister Stella Konopka and brother-in-law Paul. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He loved his family more than words can convey.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 2 to 5 pm at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 12 noon at the Catholic Community Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 43 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Burial will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ. In lieu of follows, it was Leo’s wish that a donation be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
He was born in rural Pennsylvania but after a few years moved to Jersey City, NJ and remained a country boy at heart.
In January of 1945, he joined the US Navy. He was a member of the original crew on the USS Leytes (CV32), commissioned on April 11, 1946, which entitled him to be a “Plank Owner” of one plank in the flight deck. He was Honorably Discharged in July 1946. After leaving the Navy, he met the love of his life and future wife, Rosemarie, on a blind date. After a few attempts, she agreed to go on another date. They were married in 1950.
After returning from the Navy, he began his 50 plus year career working at Western Electric, Lucent and AT&T, from 1944 to 1995, until he retired at the age of 70. He was an avid bowler and bowled into his 90’s. He really wanted to be a professional bowler, but his wife, the love of his life said no. He joined the Boy Scouts with his son in the early 70’s and never left them. He continued to be an active member of the Troop 5 committee in Maplewood, NJ. In 1992, he was awarded the Maple Leaf Award from the Maplewood NJ Civic Association for his volunteer service to the community.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie, of almost 71 years and his 4 children: Daughters Kathleen Bessinger and Bernadette Braun, Sons Leo B. Rapacki and spouse Linda, Robert Rapacki and spouse Kelly, and 1 sister Stella Konopka and brother-in-law Paul. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He loved his family more than words can convey.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 2 to 5 pm at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 12 noon at the Catholic Community Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 43 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Burial will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ. In lieu of follows, it was Leo’s wish that a donation be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.