Parrish, Fla. - Anthony Charles Papalia, 88, entered eternal rest March 7, 2025. He was born Feb. 16, 1937, in the City of New York, the oldest child of the late Frank and Mary (Bevacqua) Papalia.
He grew up in New London, and attended New London High School. He attended Mitchell College for two years and earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Connecticut.
Anthony met his wife, Rosemarie Bonanno, in 1953 at the Capitol Theater. They married Jan. 31, 1959, and raised four children. In 1962, they moved their family to Montville, where they enjoyed many years of laughter and memories.
Anthony loved spending time outdoors, and some of his happiest times were camping with his family. In 2002, Anthony and Rosemarie moved to Parrish, Fla., where they reveled in retirement, sunshine, cruising and friends. He loved his wife deeply, and they were married for 63 years.
Anthony lived a full life. He was an "old school Italian guy," tough and stoic, but always had a smile and liked to joke around. He was a proud member of the "Corner Boys"(a tight-knit group of friends), played semi-pro football, and earned a four-year degree while having a young wife and child at home. He went on to hold the highest civilian position at SUPSHIPs (Supervisor of Ship Building for the U.S. Navy), where he worked for 34 years. He was a U.S. Navy project director and was the first civilian to receive the Superior Civilian Service and Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.
Above all else, Anthony was a family man. He loved his family fiercely and leaves behind a close-knit family that will continue to love and support each other. He was well respected, deeply loved, and will be profoundly missed. Anthony now joins his beloved wife, Rosemarie; his parents, Frank and Mary; his stepfather John Beszczak; his sister Tina Desmond; and his son Frank in Heaven. He is survived by three children, Lisamarie (Derek) Rahusen of Uncasville, Heidi (Bart) Flaherty of New Fairfield, and Anthony D. Papalia of Uncasville; his twelve grandchildren: Jennifer (Josh) Miller, Robert (Melania) Rahusen, Christopher (Jessie) Rahusen, Lauramarie (Michael) Vita, Sean (Raelynn) Rahusen, Bart Flaherty, Elizabeth Flaherty, Anna Flaherty, Madison Papalia, Richard Brown, Paul Brown and Aniya Brown; his four great-grandchildren: Cameron, Connor, Cole and Tova; his brothers, Joseph Papalia and John (Susan) Beszczak; sister-in-law, Annette Sutera; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held at noon Saturday, June 7, at St. John the Evangelist Church at 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 12 Willow Drive, Uncasville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or the Knights of Columbus at www.kofc.org, or Tidewell Hospice at www.Tidewellfoundation.org.
