James J. Rapoli, 74, of Plaistow, N.H., formerly of Franklin, N.J., passed away peacefully at his home April 6.
Born in Franklin, N.J., he was the son of the late, John and Elizabeth (Postas) Rapoli. Raised in Franklin, he attended Franklin Schools and was a graduate of Franklin High School, class of 1958.
A retail and wholesale florist, Rapoli owned and operated a floral business in New York and New Hampshire. A member of St. James Church in Haverhill, he was a devout member and enjoyed volunteering his time and professional experience to the church. His skills as a green thumb came in handy for the community garden located at St. John the Baptist Church in Haverhill. A kind man with a generous heart, he sold flowers and gave part of the proceeds to support local food pantries to help those in need.
Along with his church community who he considered his family, he leaves his companion with whom he lived, Lucille F. Dole, of Plaistow; two sons, Gregory A. Rapoli and Tor M. Rapoli; two daughters, Margaret A. Raploli and Cassandra Guiducci, of New Jersey; a brother, Joseph, of Penn.; a sister, Betty Allen and her husband, Robert, of Franklin, N.J.; 13 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, John, who died at the battle of the Bulge during World War II and William, and sisters, Caroline Walter and Marian Kiss.
Friends and family are invited to call Thursday morning, April 9, from 9 until 10 at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church, Winter St. Haverhill. Burial will take place at his family lot in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Franklin, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Open Hand Pantry, 6 Cottage St. Haverhill, or the Food Pantry of St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH, 03865.