- Date Of Birth: December 1, 1932
- Date Of Death: September 23, 2014
- State: Connecticut
Giuseppe Rapisarda, 81, of New Britain, loving husband of Rosa (Lanteri) Rapisarda, passed away at home with his loving family by his side on Sept. 23, 2014 after a courageous battle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. “Pippo” as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was born Dec. 1, 1932 in Sortino, province of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy to the late Giuseppe and Giuseppina (Sequenzia) Rapisarda. As a young boy, he would climb the bell tower of the town church and care for the many pigeons who made the church their home. Thus began his love for all animals, but especially birds. He was also classically trained, along with his brothers, as an Opera singer and was a gifted artist as well. He most admired the opera greats Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, having seen them both in concert on several occasions. Giuseppe served five years in the Italian Army. Upon his discharge, he married the lovely Rosa Lanteri. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in July. He immigrated to America in 1961 and became a U.S. citizen. Prior to his retirement, he worked for 30 years at the original Fafnir Bearing Company in New Britain as a set-up machine operator. Giuseppe was The Classic Handyman, and there was nothing he could not fix; if it could not be fixed, he would make his own. He was busier in retirement than when gainfully employed, whether it be tending to his amazing garden in the summer, doing electrical, mechanical, plumbing or carpentry work for anyone that needed it, driving seniors to the voting polls, (though he was a senior himself), cooking (his specialties were homemade ricotta, cheeses and most recently wine) or caring for any of his six beloved grandchildren. He was a member of the Circolo Erbesso Pantalica Society and of St. Ann’s Church of New Britain. Besides his wife Rosa, he is survived by his son, Joseph Rapisarda and his wife, Lynne of New Britain, daughter, Katia Bocompani and her husband, Peter of Plainville, grandchildren: Alessandra and Nicholas Carlone, Joseph and Olivia Rapisarda and Peter and Sofia Bocompani; brother, Attilio Rapisarda and his wife, Enza; sister, Maria Rapisarda, and sister-in-law, Carmela Rapisarda, all of Italy; brothers-in-law, Sofio Lanteri and his wife Elvira, Anthony Lanteri and his wife, Catherine and Sebastian Lanteri. He also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins both here and in Italy. He was predeceased by his daughter Lorena Rapisarda Carlone, grandson Sebastian Rapisarda, sisters Nella and Graziella Rapisarda, brother Giacomo and sister-in-law Sarina Trigilio and her husband Anthony. Though heartbroken, we are not sad because we know he will see Lorena again, and she is waiting for him. We love you Dad, Nonno, Pippo…sing your best aria for the angels.
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