Joseph W. Pappalardo, 88

 

Joseph Pappalardo

Joseph Pappalardo

RAYMOND — Joseph W. Pappalardo, 88, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at Maine Medical Center in Portland due to natural causes. He was surrounded by most of his immediate family.

Joe was born at home on Nov. 13, 1927 in Teaneck, N.J., into an immigrant family. He was the youngest of five children growing up in an area nicknamed “Garlic Heights” due to the large Italian population living there.

An illness with his mother resulted in Joe being placed in foster care at the age of 8 months. He remained with his foster family, the Puglias, off and on until he was 10 years old. At that point in time, he returned to the Pappalardo family for good.

World War II saw his two brothers, Frank and Paul, enlist in the Army. Joe, anxious to join them in the fight, enlisted in the Marines as soon as he came of age. The end of the war prohibited him from seeing combat, but he was always proud to be a Marine.

A few years after his release from the military, he met his wife to be, Joan Swett, also of Teaneck. Joan and Joe were married on Jan. 14, 1951. They moved to Paramus, N.J., shortly thereafter and raised their four sons there until they moved to Raymond in 1984.

Joe worked for the Pillsbury Company all those years and it served him well as he was able to retire at the age of 55. Several years in a row, he was the number one account executive in the country and was always near the top regardless.

While in New Jersey, Joe was very active in his community. He coached endless football, basketball and baseball games for his sons’ teams and in that way helped countless other kids to grow up with a respect for the game, as well.

He was actively involved in the Paramus Elks Lodge, where he participated heavily in the Crippled Children’s Fund.

Upon moving to Raymond, Joe and Joan’s love of sports led them to St. Joseph’s College. They attended so many St. Joe’s basketball games both in Maine and on the road that they were both inducted into the Saint Joseph’s College Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of their support for the school and its student athletes.

Joe had a lifelong interest in the game of golf and in addition to playing, he was the starter at Point Sebago Golf Course until two years ago where he got to visit with both old and new friends.

All of Joe’s life experiences led him to Camp Sunshine in Casco, where after raising his family, he found his true life’s work. He and Joan volunteered at Camp Sunshine for many years and were instrumental in helping to make it into the organization that it is today. Joan and Joe have a building on the campus named after them in recognition of their dedication to Camp Sunshine. “Papa Joe” was loved by all and up until his last days spoke of wanting to get back to Camp to help out.

These endless hours of volunteering led Joe to be nominated for and then selected to receive a Jefferson Award, a national honor. While he was glad to receive it, he was even happier to have put in the time at Camp Sunshine.

Joe will be greatly missed by his many family members and friends. He leaves behind his wife of almost 65 years, Joan; his sons David, Gary, Jeff and Bob; his sister, Angie Ruberto; his 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Whether at a family reunion or lamb roast, spending time at Camp or with the grandkids, Joe was loved by all and will be missed by many.

As per Joe’s request, there will be no services. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

Anyone wishing to honor Joe may make a donation in his name to: Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015 or at their website https://www.campsunshine.org/

Help make the world a better place. Joe would really like it if you did.