Obituary for Joseph David Lappa Jr.
Millinocket - Joseph David Lappa, 101 was called to celebrate the new year with his Lord and in the waiting arms of Helen, his loving wife. He died peacefully at home where he and Helen lived and raised their family during 67 years of marriage.
Joseph was born in Boston on June 1, 1917, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, Joseph and Elizabeth (Bettruna) Lappa. After a few years in Massachusetts, they moved the family to Millinocket.
Joe attended Millinocket schools and went to work at an early age. During the Depression, he worked in the CCC Federal program, constructing roads throughout the state. He was recognized for his exceptional abilities in this field.
After working for over twenty years at the Great Northern Paper Company, in the woodland department he set out on his own. Joe loved to work outdoors and became a contractor, building roads, landscaping and keeping roads open during winter storms. He particularly enjoyed seeing the Boy Scouts from out of state who came for their annual trip up Mount Katahdin. He would put benches on the back of his pulp truck and with safety measures intact, Joe would drive the Scouts from Millinocket to Baxter State Park, and he always came home with stories of their adventures.
Joe enjoyed Sunday family outings, picnics, trips to local lakes and to Arcadia National Park, including visits to his in-laws farm in Orrington. Even in his later years, Joe was hard to keep at home. He liked to be out with his buddies around town. Joe was a gentle, caring father to his two lovely daughters, Patricia and Carole Jean, and had loving thoughts for his grandchildren. He always took an interest in what they were doing, and was very proud of their accomplishments. Joe was a prayerful man with a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother. In his final days, he could be heard praying to her. He was a faithful member of St. Martin of Tours Church. When he was no longer able to attend Church, he received communion at home. This was very important to him.
Joseph is predeceased by Helen, his wife, their infant daughter, Ellen, a great granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Pelletier and his grandson Kristian Andre Pelletier. He outlived his parents, and siblings, Peter, Charles, and Bernice Sprague. He remains ever present to his daughters Patricia L. and George Pelletier, her husband, Sister Carole Jean Lappa, rsr, his grandchildren, Erik George Pelletier and Stephanie his wife, Noel Jason Pelletier and Erika, his wife. He is also remembered by his great grandchildren, Kassandra Andrea, Erika Gabrielle and Stephen Liam, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call 10 AM Saturday January 5, 2019 at St. Martin of Tours where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM with the Rev. Bruce Siket, pastor, celebrant. The family invites relatives and friends to a reception following the service at the church fellowship hall. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way may make a donation to the St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry or Fuel Fund, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket, ME 04462, or to the Sisters of the Holy Rosary Retirement Fund, 25 Portland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.
Joseph was born in Boston on June 1, 1917, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, Joseph and Elizabeth (Bettruna) Lappa. After a few years in Massachusetts, they moved the family to Millinocket.
Joe attended Millinocket schools and went to work at an early age. During the Depression, he worked in the CCC Federal program, constructing roads throughout the state. He was recognized for his exceptional abilities in this field.
After working for over twenty years at the Great Northern Paper Company, in the woodland department he set out on his own. Joe loved to work outdoors and became a contractor, building roads, landscaping and keeping roads open during winter storms. He particularly enjoyed seeing the Boy Scouts from out of state who came for their annual trip up Mount Katahdin. He would put benches on the back of his pulp truck and with safety measures intact, Joe would drive the Scouts from Millinocket to Baxter State Park, and he always came home with stories of their adventures.
Joe enjoyed Sunday family outings, picnics, trips to local lakes and to Arcadia National Park, including visits to his in-laws farm in Orrington. Even in his later years, Joe was hard to keep at home. He liked to be out with his buddies around town. Joe was a gentle, caring father to his two lovely daughters, Patricia and Carole Jean, and had loving thoughts for his grandchildren. He always took an interest in what they were doing, and was very proud of their accomplishments. Joe was a prayerful man with a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother. In his final days, he could be heard praying to her. He was a faithful member of St. Martin of Tours Church. When he was no longer able to attend Church, he received communion at home. This was very important to him.
Joseph is predeceased by Helen, his wife, their infant daughter, Ellen, a great granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Pelletier and his grandson Kristian Andre Pelletier. He outlived his parents, and siblings, Peter, Charles, and Bernice Sprague. He remains ever present to his daughters Patricia L. and George Pelletier, her husband, Sister Carole Jean Lappa, rsr, his grandchildren, Erik George Pelletier and Stephanie his wife, Noel Jason Pelletier and Erika, his wife. He is also remembered by his great grandchildren, Kassandra Andrea, Erika Gabrielle and Stephen Liam, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call 10 AM Saturday January 5, 2019 at St. Martin of Tours where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM with the Rev. Bruce Siket, pastor, celebrant. The family invites relatives and friends to a reception following the service at the church fellowship hall. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way may make a donation to the St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry or Fuel Fund, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket, ME 04462, or to the Sisters of the Holy Rosary Retirement Fund, 25 Portland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.