- Date Of Birth: July 18, 1934
- Date Of Death: October 19, 2010
- State: Maine
Woolwich- Rafael C. Papa, 76, of Chopps Point Road died Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at his home.
He was born in Manila, Philippines on July 18, 1934, the son of Domingo and Angela (Carbonell) Papa. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio and from Thomas More College in Kentucky. In the late 1950s he was a counselor at Boothbay Camp for Boys in Bath, ME when he met Janet Dow, the daughter of Allan and Margaret Dow who owned Merrymeeting Camp for Girls up the Kennebec River in Woolwich. They were married in July of 1958 and moved to a Sioux Indian Reservation in Marty, South Dakota where he began his career in teaching. His connection with Native Americans had begun years earlier when he was adopted by a Sioux tribe and made an honorary chief. He continued to share his knowledge and respect for Native Americans by presenting dance and lore programs for decades. After living in Baltimore, MD, Mr. Papa was lured to the Glastonbury, CT school system by its outstanding language program. He taught Spanish at the Middle and High School levels until 1979. He also enjoyed teaching English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes. During this time he formed a dance troupe with his family and friends that performed Filipino folk dances at festivals and cultural events.
In 1980, as the Coordinator of Hispanic Affairs for a group of schools in Hartford, CT he developed a successful program for recruiting and supporting minority students in higher education that became instituted statewide. After selling Merrymeeting Camp, the family maintained a home in Woolwich. Mr. Papa moved here in 1992 where he continued teaching Spanish for the University of Southern Maine and indulged his passion for fishing. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bath.
Rafael was predeceased by his wife Janet (1987) and a son David (1984).
