James F. Rappa, 77, of Meadville, died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at UPMC — St. Margaret’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, after a period of declining health. He had been hospitalized for the past 10 months in Meadville, Erie and Pittsburgh.
He was born in Meadville on Aug. 10, 1931, a son of Samuel and Mary Ogello Rappa. He married Phyllis Rich, June 30, 1950.
Jim attended Meadville High School and Penn State University, and served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea in the Mediterranean as a flight deck signalman.
He retired from Abex in 1988 as manager of Product Reliability after 38 years. In his retirement he worked briefly in auto sales for Kirkpatrick Buick-Pontiac and for four years for Drafto Co.
Jim was a 40-year member of the Meadville Central Federal Credit Union, and served as its treasurer-manager for 25 years. He was a member of St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church, the Italian Civic Club, Elks Lodge 219, Huidekoper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006 and Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department.
He was a body builder for many years and was co-founder of the YMCA Olympic Weight Room. He enjoyed making homemade wine, hunting, fishing, golfing and being with his family, especially his grandchildren. In recent years he and his wife, Phyllis, enjoyed dancing in the Conneaut Lake and Meadville areas to the music of Bobby Remp, Sammy Slicker and others, socializing with their many friends.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Phyllis, of 58 years, include a daughter, Kathleen (Kathy) Schenberg and her husband, William, of Meadville; two sons, James W. Rappa and his wife, Susan, of Conneaut Lake, and Samuel J. Rappa and his wife, Beverly, of Meadville; four grandchildren, Matthew J. Rappa, Amy K. Rappa, Jessica A. Schenberg and Joseph W. Schenberg; a sister, Mary Damico of Peoria, Ariz.; two brothers, Ben Rappa and his wife, Erika, of Rockledge, Fla., and Tom Rappa and his wife, Sandy, of Meadville; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Damico and Vita West; and a brother, Frank Rappa.
Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, with an Elks service at 6:45 p.m. and a scripture prayer service at 8:45 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church, 353 Pine St., Meadville, with Father Ray Gramata as celebrant.
Entombment will be in St. Brigid Cemetery mausoleum with military honors provided by Huidekoper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006.
The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church, 353 Pine St., Meadville, Pa. 16335.
To send condolences, please visit www.meadvilletribune.com.
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