RAPUANO, EDWARD

Edward S. Rapuano, 83, of East Haven, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Connecticut Hospice surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Anna M. DePaola Rapuano. Ed was born in New Haven on August 12, 1937 to the late Edward F Rapuano. and Eleanor Gallo Belard. He worked for G.L. Gray Metal Fabrication for several years and then went to work for the Credit Bureau of Connecticut as an Accountant and Bookkeeper, until finally retiring in 2000. He also worked for more than 20 years at the East Haven Memorial Longobardi – Brennan Funeral Home as an attendant and assistant to the director. Although Ed worked hard his entire life, it is his world outside of that, which he will be remembered most. Ed was one of the finest Baseball Umpires in the Greater New Haven area and received recognition nationally by earning a coveted assignment to work the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport in 1990, as well as the Senior League Softball World Series in 1988 and 1989 in Kalamazoo Michigan and the 12 and Under National Baseball Tournament in Cooperstown, NY in 2010. He began his baseball life with the Annex YMA Little League in New Haven where he coached, umpired, served as President and help build that association and facility into one of the finest in New England. He was also very active in affiliations within the baseball universe, such as the Greater New Haven Baseball Umpire’s Association as an Umpire as well as their Commissioner. He was also very active in his parish and was an Usher for many years at Our Lady of Pompeii Church. For 30 years, he bowled in the Railroad Bowling League at Circle Lanes and was their financial secretary for most of that time. Lastly, he was a member of the National Football Officials Association, working as a Clock Operator for many years. He will be missed by his buddies at the Pinochle Club where he played weekly from 1953 to 2019.

He is survived by three sons, Edward (Valerie) Rapuano, Jr. of Boca Raton, FL, Michael Rapuano of North Haven, Vincent (Aoy) Rapuano of North Branford, a daughter Patricia (Robert) DeStefano of East Haven, his girlfriend Bernadette Kwieraga of New Haven, a sister, Marie Gambardella of East Haven and a sisterin-law Pia Alleshunas of Branford. He also leaves 12 grandchildren, Lauren (Shawn) Grady, Amanda Reiter, Edward Rapuano, III, Michael Rapuano, Jr., Vincent Rapuano, Jr., Rosalie (Anthony) Nardella, Nicholas Rapuano, Joseph Rapuano, Sara Rapuano, Brianna DeStefano and Anthony Rapuano., as well as 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, he was pre-deceased by a daughter-in-law, Deborah Rapuano; his step-father Louis Belard, who raised him. A special thank you goes out to Cheryl Malone, his niece, who gave him special love and care at Apple Rehab of Guilford.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in the Parish of St. Pio of Petrelcina at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Route 80, Wednesday morning at 11 am. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery immediately following the mass. Calling hours will be at the East Haven Memorial Longobardi – Brennan Funeral Home, 425 Main St., Tuesday evening from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial Contributions may be made to Umpscare.com. Please visit Ed’s memorial page at easthavenmemorial.com and sign his guest book. Also, if you are unable to attend his funeral mass, for your convenience, it will also be available to view on his page.