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Joseph A. Pappano, 84, of Bellaire, Ohio, died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at the Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia.
He was born March 22, 1930, in Bellaire, Ohio, a son of the Nicola “Nick” and Jennie DiFrank Pappano.
Joe was a member of the St. John Catholic Church and the Sons of Italy Lodge 754 both in Bellaire, Ohio, and the Ohio River Valley Elks Lodge 231 in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
He was a 1948 graduate of Bellaire High School and The Ohio State University; served on the staff of former Governor John J. Gilligan as an administrative assistant; served on the Ohio Criminal Justice Supervisory Commission and was assigned to the Courts Task Force chaired by Ohio’s former Chief Justice O’Neill; senior accountant for the Wheeling Steel Corporation; served with NASA as Deputy Program Manager of the Apollo Space Suit Operations and as Program Control Supervisor of Gemini at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri and for many years served the citizens of Belmont County as Treasurer from 1977 until assuming the duties of the Auditor in 1987. He was also one of the founding members of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Belmont County.
“Joe Pappano set the standard for hard work and honesty.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers during World War II, 1st Lt. William A. Pappano on January 3, 1943 in New Guinea and PFC Louis V. Pappano on January 10, 1944 in Cape Glouster, New Briton and his brother-in-law, Francis (Frank) Porch.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Rosalie Durant Pappano, whom he married on February 27, 1965, at the St. John Catholic Church in Bellaire, Ohio; Joe was fond of telling everyone that when he first met Rosalie it was as if he was STRUCK BY LIGHTNING; his sister, Mary Rose Pappano Porch of Blacklick, Ohio. Also one niece, Julia (Dr. Mike) Novena of Blacklick, Ohio; two great-nieces, Charity (Brad) Chelton and Kimberly Novena; two great- nephews, Bryan and Jason Novena; great-great-niece, Alyssa Chelton, great- great-nephew, Brady Chelton; one uncle, Dom Santavicca of Shadyside, Ohio and his Goddaughter and Godson and caregivers, Andrea and Bob Koteles of Bellaire, Ohio.
Family and friends will be received at the Bauk-necht-Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory, 441 37th Street, Bellaire, Ohio, on Sunday from noon to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral liturgy with Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. at the St. John Catholic Church, Bellaire with Fr. Daniel Heusel as Celebrant. Interment in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Bellaire, Ohio.
Sons of Italy services will be held on Sunday at 7 pm followed by Vigil services at 7:45 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellaire Touchdown Club, P.O. Box 234, Bellaire, Ohio 43906, The St. John Grade School, 415 37th Street, Bellaire, Ohio 43906 or the St. John Central High School, 37th & Guernsey Street, Bellaire, Ohio 43906.
Share your thoughts and memories and view Joe’s Memorial Tribute video at www.altmeyer.com.