1
tree
planted in memory of Francis "Frankie" Anthony Papa, Jr.
Obituary for Francis "Frankie" Anthony Papa, Jr.
Francis “Frankie” Anthony Papa, Jr.
6/28/41-5/14/21
Slate Hill, NY
Frank Papa of Slate Hill, New York entered eternal rest on Friday, May 14th, 2021.
The son of late Francis Anthony Papa, Sr. and Louise Gentile, he was born on June 28th, 1941 in New York City. Frank was raised by his grandmother, Adeline Gentile in Ridgebury, NY
Frank attended Middletown High School and graduated in 1960. Not long after graduating, he started working at Minisink Valley Central School District. He began working as a custodian and retired as supervising maintenance mechanic where he was second in charge of all buildings and grounds after 36 years in 1996. His son soon followed in his footsteps and he couldn’t have been more proud. Frankie was known as Mr. Minisink, The Italian Stallion, the man with the great sense of humor. In addition to the hard work he did at MVCSD, Frank also built, owned, and operated Papa’s Place Pizzeria from 1989-1992. His hard work did not end there as he also volunteered in the New Hampton Fire Department and was a Lieutenant with the Johnson Rutgers Engine Co. No. 1. where he was awarded Firefighter of the Year 1979-1980 and where he remains a lifetime member. It was no surprise that he instilled this hardworking, prideful work ethic in his children.
Frank was not just about the work though. In earlier years he found much enjoyment hunting, fishing, boating at Swinging Bridge, riding his golf cart and always betting on the ponies at OTB. Frank was a kind and gentle person who enjoyed spending time with family. He enjoyed the warm weather and the simple things in life. Summertime would signal BBQ season and the annual tan competition with Raquel. He enjoyed his time at his home with Nancy whether he was cooking, eating, reading his newspaper, riding the four-wheeler, plowing snow with his Massey Ferguson, rubbing off scratch-offs, swinging on his swing, or just simply sitting in the gazebo.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife Nancy Papa at home; his loving daughter Raquel Renee’ of Wallkill and predeceased by his son and best friend Dominick Anthony on July 24, 2019. He is also survived by his four adoring grandsons, his very own “backstreet boys”, Jerome Samuel, Rocco Francis, Marco Anthony, and Alexander Louis, his son-in-law Jerry Futia, his daughter-in-law Sue Papa; stepdaughters Janine, Jennifer, and Jamie; and eight step grandchildren.
A statement from his daughter reads:
I will desperately miss our daily conversations where you would always let me know every single solitary thing that was going on that day. Missed will be our trips to Fuji for lunch with the boys, our walks around the mall even if you wouldn’t buy me the shoes I wanted. I will yearn for your infectious smile and laugh, your comforting tight hugs, your encouragement, words of wisdom, your never-ending support and especially our everlasting special bond. You always told me you were the boss and I always believed you. I will forever be grateful for the life you gave me.
Thank you for not only being my Father, but my best friend. I love you my Papa Bear, my Papa Smurf. You will always be my “numero uno”.
“Tread cautiously”, Dad, until I meet up with you and Dominick again.
A Memorial Service for Francis will be held on Thursday May 20, 2021 from 4-7 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. 130 Highland Ave., Middletown NY, 10940. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Frankie’s memory to a charity of your choice.
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6/28/41-5/14/21
Slate Hill, NY
Frank Papa of Slate Hill, New York entered eternal rest on Friday, May 14th, 2021.
The son of late Francis Anthony Papa, Sr. and Louise Gentile, he was born on June 28th, 1941 in New York City. Frank was raised by his grandmother, Adeline Gentile in Ridgebury, NY
Frank attended Middletown High School and graduated in 1960. Not long after graduating, he started working at Minisink Valley Central School District. He began working as a custodian and retired as supervising maintenance mechanic where he was second in charge of all buildings and grounds after 36 years in 1996. His son soon followed in his footsteps and he couldn’t have been more proud. Frankie was known as Mr. Minisink, The Italian Stallion, the man with the great sense of humor. In addition to the hard work he did at MVCSD, Frank also built, owned, and operated Papa’s Place Pizzeria from 1989-1992. His hard work did not end there as he also volunteered in the New Hampton Fire Department and was a Lieutenant with the Johnson Rutgers Engine Co. No. 1. where he was awarded Firefighter of the Year 1979-1980 and where he remains a lifetime member. It was no surprise that he instilled this hardworking, prideful work ethic in his children.
Frank was not just about the work though. In earlier years he found much enjoyment hunting, fishing, boating at Swinging Bridge, riding his golf cart and always betting on the ponies at OTB. Frank was a kind and gentle person who enjoyed spending time with family. He enjoyed the warm weather and the simple things in life. Summertime would signal BBQ season and the annual tan competition with Raquel. He enjoyed his time at his home with Nancy whether he was cooking, eating, reading his newspaper, riding the four-wheeler, plowing snow with his Massey Ferguson, rubbing off scratch-offs, swinging on his swing, or just simply sitting in the gazebo.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife Nancy Papa at home; his loving daughter Raquel Renee’ of Wallkill and predeceased by his son and best friend Dominick Anthony on July 24, 2019. He is also survived by his four adoring grandsons, his very own “backstreet boys”, Jerome Samuel, Rocco Francis, Marco Anthony, and Alexander Louis, his son-in-law Jerry Futia, his daughter-in-law Sue Papa; stepdaughters Janine, Jennifer, and Jamie; and eight step grandchildren.
A statement from his daughter reads:
I will desperately miss our daily conversations where you would always let me know every single solitary thing that was going on that day. Missed will be our trips to Fuji for lunch with the boys, our walks around the mall even if you wouldn’t buy me the shoes I wanted. I will yearn for your infectious smile and laugh, your comforting tight hugs, your encouragement, words of wisdom, your never-ending support and especially our everlasting special bond. You always told me you were the boss and I always believed you. I will forever be grateful for the life you gave me.
Thank you for not only being my Father, but my best friend. I love you my Papa Bear, my Papa Smurf. You will always be my “numero uno”.
“Tread cautiously”, Dad, until I meet up with you and Dominick again.
A Memorial Service for Francis will be held on Thursday May 20, 2021 from 4-7 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. 130 Highland Ave., Middletown NY, 10940. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Frankie’s memory to a charity of your choice.
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Previous Events
Service
Thursday
20
May
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
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