Lappen, John Joseph
March 19, 1933 – December 10, 2021
John “Jack” Lappen, 88, of Manchester, CT and beloved husband of Barbara (Shenning) Lappen, died peacefully on December 10, 2021.
He was born on March 19, 1933, in Jamaica, New York and was a lifelong resident of Manchester, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Howard E. Lappen and Estelle V. Lappen. Jack proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict, serving on seventeen different military ships. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant. He graduated from Central Connecticut State College with a degree in Business. He worked in Insurance Sales and as a salesman for Nutmeg Building Supply for many years before starting a career in Real Estate, both selling Real Estate at his own agency as well as later becoming a mortgage originator.
He was an amazing dad who cherished his family and fatherly role. He enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and the Caribbean as well as the National Parks in the US with his lovely wife Barbara. He coached Manchester Little League Baseball and Bowling at Vernon Lanes for many years. He was an avid tennis and billiard player. Jack also loved playing bridge with his friends at the Senior Center. In his younger years, he enjoyed water skiing, bowling, golfing, horseshoes, boating and fishing. He was the family grill master who loved gardening and writing poetry. He had strong opinions and loved to share them on a wide spectrum of topics, often in Letters to the Editor in various publications.
Jack was married to the love of his life Barbara Shenning for 66 years. Besides his wife, he leaves his six children, Cathy Lappen of Manchester; Wayne (Jennifer) Lappen of Woodbury Vermont; Mark (Kristi) Lappen of South Windsor; Walter (Tracey) Lappen of Southington; Earl (Katherine) Lappen of Manchester; Kyle (Denise) Anderson of Colonia New Jersey; his sister Barbara (Robert) Johnson of St. Petersburg Florida; his sister in-law Jeanne Lappen of Tolland;
his sister in-law Rita Lappen of Port Orange Florida; his thirteen grandchildren, Tyler Lappen, Jessica Lappen and Kelly Lappen; Nicholas (Carlie) Lappen, John Lappen, Michael Lappen and Kyle Lappen; Aspen Tucker; Kyle Anderson, Olivia Anderson, Nyah Anderson, Bryan Anderson and Derek Anderson. He was predeceased by his brothers Richard
Lappen of Daytona Beach Florida, Howard Lappen of South Windsor and his brother in-law Roy (Zelda) Shenning of Brandon Florida. In addition to his immediate family, he is also survived by fourteen nieces and nephews and their families. He cared deeply for his family including his many cousins.
Jack was a great man who had many friends and will be deeply missed. Special thanks to his neighbor and dear friend, Dr. Fadi Hammami who helped guide Jack's care in his later years. The family also extends their gratitude to Jack's daughter Cathy Lappen whose love and unending dedication to his care was simply incredible.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Kidney Foundation. Services will be held at a future date at the discretion of the family.