Obituary of Angelo B. Papa

Angelo B. Papa, 91, of 6 Hillcrest Ave. passed away at 9:25 p.m. Saturday (December 11, 2010) in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. A lifelong area resident he was born April 13, 1919 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Benedict and Rose DeFrancisco Papa. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1942 to 1946 in the 47th Troop Carrier Squadron during World War II. Before his retirement at age 62, he was employed by the Marlin Rockwell Corporation for 33 years. He was also a self employed, self taught carpenter doing work for many family members and friends over the years. He was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and also served for several years as a member of the school board for the Jamestown Board of Education. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union and the Lakewood Memorial Post # 1286 American Legion. Angelo Papa lived his life so that, at the end, he had no regrets. His own words were in fact, "It's nice to go home in the winner's column". Well, we can tell you that he is a winner in every way. He died peacefully and with great courage, certainly a reflection of the way he lived. He gave to others without expectations. He lived simply, humbly and truly appreciated, with an open heart, all of life's moments. We believe that he knew that the simplest gesture had an impact on those around him. Some of his final words were "You gotta take it as it comes" and he did just that. During his final weeks and days he was surrounded by his loving family, whom he cherished. This we believe was the most important thing to him on his journey home. He loved greatly and life loved him back. He died fully aware of this. We love you Angelo Papa, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin and amazing friend to everyone. You were truly an inspiration to all who knew you. Surviving are his wife the former Josephine Panebianco whom he married September 6, 1941, two daughters Diane (Gerald) Wybranski of Chadds Ford, PA, Susan Fox of Wilmington, DE, a son Benedict Papa of Tualatin, OR, seven grandchildren Lisa (David) Kleingarn of Minn. MN, Susan (James) Schwartz of Chadds Ford, PA, Kate (Richard) Hunsinger of West Chester, PA, Elizabeth Wybranski, Andrew (Kelly) Fox, Alicia Fox all of Wilmington, DE, Kelly Fox of New York City, four great grandchildren Julian Schwartz, Maxwell Fox, Bennie and Alexia Kleingarn, two sisters Helen Cusimano, Jennie Cosenza both of Jamestown, a brother Anthony (Gayle) Papa of Claremont, CA., "sister" Margaret Nicosia of Jamestown, Brother-in-law, Joseph (Pat) Panebianco of Scottsdale, AZ. and many loving nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Angeline Papa Conti Jackson who died November 12, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor will be celebrant. Friends will be received from 4 - 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led by Rev. Mende at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701.