John P. Paparella, 82, died on January 13, 2012 at home in Fort Pierce, FL. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Milanville, PA at the age of 12. He lived for 33 years in Oakland, NJ before retiring to Florida.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, receiving the National Defense Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal E Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal. He then became a master carpenter and home building contractor. He was also a licensed real estate broker and started and ran a successful sign business for many years. He was a member of St. Anastasia Church and the American Legion.

His greatest passion in life was boating and fishing, and he was fortunate to enjoy both up until a few weeks before his passing.

He was predeceased by brothers Richard, Eugene, and Edward, and survived by brother Vincent of Lumberton, NC. Also surviving are Phyllis Paparella, his wife of 53 years, sons Paul Paparella of Scotch Plains, NJ and Michael Paparella of Merritt Island FL, daughter Diane Van Delden of Trumansburg, NY, their spouses, three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 2, 2012 at 1 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg, NY. Father William Scully O.F.M. will officiate. Christian burial of the cremains will follow in St. Lucy’s Cemetery, Narrowsburg, NY.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY, 845/252-3901.