Obituary for Frederick Donald Rapone Sr.
Frederick D. Rapone, Sr.
Age 82, of South Fayette Twp., formerly of Upper St. Clair Twp., on Sunday April 30, 2023. Beloved husband for 49 years of the late Roberta J. “Bobbie” Rapone; proud father of Fred Jr. (Beth Pacoe) of Pittsburgh and David of Centreville, Va.; loving grandfather of Domenick, Aiden, Maxwell, Madelyn, and Preston; cherished sister of Laura Stizza, of Fountain Hills, Ariz., numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless dear friends, neighbors, and former colleagues. Born January 1, 1941, in Lowellville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Domenick and Suzie (Pirone) Rapone. Fred was a 1959 graduate of Lowellville High School, where he excelled on the football field and basketball court for the Rockets. Fred obtained his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown University in 1964. He moved to Pittsburgh shortly thereafter to start his career designing electrical systems at primary metals manufacturing facilities across the country and around the world for Blaw-Knox, Dravo, Trafalgar, Kvaerner, Hatch, and Eichleay. A true engineer, Fred was blessed with an active curiosity as to how things work and an indefatigable enthusiasm for and patience in figuring out how he could make them better. No surface of any room in the family homes or any square inch of his yards escaped his hammer, saw, shovel, or rake. Fred also was a serious model train enthusiast, a passion that culminated in his construction of a room-sized, multi-track display on which his childhood Lionel train was one of several that passed through and over his many hand-built structures. He was a faithful follower of all Pittsburgh sports teams, but Pitt football, for which he was a long-time season ticket holder, was his favorite. His meticulous attention to detail, cool head, and love of sports found their natural home on the golf course, where he carded four holes-in-one over the years and had the honor of playing at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. Fred was a longtime member, president, and officer of the St. Louise de Marillac Men’s Golf League through which he had formed and cultivated many deep and lasting friendships with the guys at Lindenwood and LeGras Hall. He was very active with his homeowner’s association, particularly and naturally, with its infrastructure and maintenance. Fred also was a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels in Peters Twp. All of his many skills and talents were coupled with a most easy-going and warm personality, which made him a great husband, an inspirational father, doting grandfather, and loyal friend. Funeral arrangements by Beinhauer’s, 724.941.3211. Friends welcomed at 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, Pa. 15317 on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Louise De Marillac Church – St. Catherine Labouré Parish, 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15241 at 10:30 Saturday. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 3909 Washington Road, Suite 201, McMurray, Pa. 15317 (https://mowpt.pghfree.net/).
Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com
Age 82, of South Fayette Twp., formerly of Upper St. Clair Twp., on Sunday April 30, 2023. Beloved husband for 49 years of the late Roberta J. “Bobbie” Rapone; proud father of Fred Jr. (Beth Pacoe) of Pittsburgh and David of Centreville, Va.; loving grandfather of Domenick, Aiden, Maxwell, Madelyn, and Preston; cherished sister of Laura Stizza, of Fountain Hills, Ariz., numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless dear friends, neighbors, and former colleagues. Born January 1, 1941, in Lowellville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Domenick and Suzie (Pirone) Rapone. Fred was a 1959 graduate of Lowellville High School, where he excelled on the football field and basketball court for the Rockets. Fred obtained his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown University in 1964. He moved to Pittsburgh shortly thereafter to start his career designing electrical systems at primary metals manufacturing facilities across the country and around the world for Blaw-Knox, Dravo, Trafalgar, Kvaerner, Hatch, and Eichleay. A true engineer, Fred was blessed with an active curiosity as to how things work and an indefatigable enthusiasm for and patience in figuring out how he could make them better. No surface of any room in the family homes or any square inch of his yards escaped his hammer, saw, shovel, or rake. Fred also was a serious model train enthusiast, a passion that culminated in his construction of a room-sized, multi-track display on which his childhood Lionel train was one of several that passed through and over his many hand-built structures. He was a faithful follower of all Pittsburgh sports teams, but Pitt football, for which he was a long-time season ticket holder, was his favorite. His meticulous attention to detail, cool head, and love of sports found their natural home on the golf course, where he carded four holes-in-one over the years and had the honor of playing at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. Fred was a longtime member, president, and officer of the St. Louise de Marillac Men’s Golf League through which he had formed and cultivated many deep and lasting friendships with the guys at Lindenwood and LeGras Hall. He was very active with his homeowner’s association, particularly and naturally, with its infrastructure and maintenance. Fred also was a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels in Peters Twp. All of his many skills and talents were coupled with a most easy-going and warm personality, which made him a great husband, an inspirational father, doting grandfather, and loyal friend. Funeral arrangements by Beinhauer’s, 724.941.3211. Friends welcomed at 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, Pa. 15317 on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Louise De Marillac Church – St. Catherine Labouré Parish, 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15241 at 10:30 Saturday. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 3909 Washington Road, Suite 201, McMurray, Pa. 15317 (https://mowpt.pghfree.net/).
Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com