Joseph R. Paparo Jr.

Joseph R. “Joe” Paparo Jr., 89, of Ephrata Manor Retirement Community, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Joseph Sr. and Josephine Spadafore Paparo. Formerly of Lancaster, Joe shared 61 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Anna LaRosa Paparo.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a tool and die maker and machinist for 36 years at RCA in Lancaster.

Joe was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lancaster and the Lancaster VFW.

As a result of Joe’s passion for studying maps and planning road trips, he and Anna put thousands of miles on their car traveling all over the country and making frequent trips to the beach, which was his favorite place to visit.

Joe enjoyed gardening and spent many hours each summer growing vegetables of all kinds. An avid bowler, he was in numerous bowling leagues and in recent years had weekly dates at Rocky Springs with his daughter, Deb. He looked forward to hearing about his son’s family in Texas and talking with them on the phone.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by his family, who were his pride and joy in life.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Anna, is a son, Anthony, husband of Sharon Paparo, of Wimberly, TX; a daughter, Deborah Paparo of Lancaster; three grandchildren, Alicia, John, and Elizabeth; and a sister, Maryann Snyder of Millersville. He is preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Joe’s funeral service at the Buch-Heisey Funeral Home, 216 South Broad Street, Lititz, on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 2:00 PM. There will be a visitation on Monday at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Interment will be in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster.

Those desiring may send contributions in Joe’s memory to the Ephrata Manor Benevolent Fund, 99 Bethany Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522.