John Joseph Rappa, born May 10, 1943, passed away on January 10, 2017 at Lane Purcell Hospice House. John was predeceased by his father, Joseph J. Rappa and his mother, Mildred A. Rappa. He is survived by his wife, Bea Noble Rappa, formerly of Rutland, VT, mother-in-law, Beatrice Noble-Jasmin, of West Rutland, VT, new brother-in-law, Dick Noble, formerly of Rutland, VT; and his children, Eric J.J. Rappa, his wife Shannon and grandchildren Ashlynn, Aryn, August; daughter, Sharon M. Calarco, her husband, Tom, and grandchildren, Caitlyn, Tommy, Deanna and great-grandchildren Jayson and Kayden; sister, Jeanette (Ginger) Teller-Schloemer (Gerald Schloemer) of McHenry, IL; brothers: Harold Rappa, Mohawk, NY; Joseph Kozlowski, Ilion, NY, Michael La Rocco, The Villages, FL, and sister, Seleena Jackson (Kevin Jackson) of Wakefield, RI. John was a graduate of Frankfort Schuyler Central H.S., Frankfort, NY, and SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology of Cobleskill at Cobleskill, NY. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and Crop Sciences specializing in agronomy from University of Georgia, Athens, GA. He worked for the U.S. Department in Horseheads, NY and Canandaigua, NY, until his retirement in 1999. He became a resident of The Villages, FL, in 1999. John loved life and his family and friends and enjoyed interests in baseball, golfing with friends, biking, walking, photography, traveling, and was an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays. He loved music and often entertained his family with his Elvis Presley impersonation. He also greatly enjoyed discussing politics and religion at family gatherings. John fought gallantly against cancer for 6 years. In his darkest moments he was always smiling, expressing gratitude to his doctors, nurses, aides and family members for their care, support and love. His son-in-law, Tom, describes his father-in-law, John, as “one true family man”. No greater tribute to a father can be made then that of his son, Eric, who says of his father, “He is my true hero”. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins in NY, CT, NC, FL, IL. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Dr. Pablo Reyes, c/o Florida Cancer Specialist and/or Dr. Sergio Balingit, The Villages, Florida. Mass and a Celebration of Life get together to be arranged at a later date (family to arrive).
