SFC Philip J. Lapaglia U.S. Army, Retired

Philip John Lapaglia (Phil) passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 31, 2011. His passing leaves a void for all who knew and loved him. They will miss hearing him describe his many exciting life experiences: from his experiences in three wars to how he met the love of his life - Rita, his beloved wife of 64 years. Phil was born in Calascibetta, Sicily, on May 1, 1914. He immigrated to America, at the age of 5, with his mother and younger sister, where they joined his father in Wadsworth, Ohio. He graduated from Central High School in 1932, and at the age of 18, he joined the US Army. He served at Walter Reed Medical Center, and loved to tell the story of how he met President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He left the Army to return to Ohio in 1934 and worked for the US Post Office for the next 20 years, in between military active duty assignments. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1942 and served through the end of WWII in the Pacific Theater. He was very proud to be part of the Americal Division (formed during WWII on the island of New Caledonia) and continued to tell stories of these experiences for the rest of his life. He also served in the Philippines and Northern Solomons, and was part of the occupation forces in Japan at the end of WWII. Phil served in the US Army during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War; he specialized in the field of military intelligence. His assignments took him to many different countries, including Vietnam, Germany, Iceland, France and the Netherlands. His wife, Rita, and their family accompanied him on many of his assignments. Phil met Rita at a New Year’s Eve dance in 1945. They danced together that night and through the next 60+ years. Phil and Rita loved to dance. Even in the lean years, they managed to go out dancing at least once a month. Phil proposed to Rita on the following Valentine’s Day and they were married in June 1946. They loved to travel, and after their retirements, he and his wife continued their travels for the next 30 years. Some of their happiest times were spent driving in their car cross country on their next big adventure. He loved working crossword puzzles, reading books, taking care of his cars, visiting his many friends, and telling his life’s stories. He never met a stranger, and he was always ready to help if a friend or family member needed him. Sadly, Phil lost his beloved wife and his life’s partner in November 2010 and, after 64 years of Rita’s companionship, he felt lost without her. They had shared an enthusiasm for life and a love for each other that had kept them young at heart and always looking forward to their next adventure. Phil is survived by his 5 children: Phyllis Lapaglia, Larry Lapaglia, Peggy Corley, John Lapaglia and his wife Brenda, and Mariann Cox and her husband George; his 6 grandchildren: Capt. Lisa Corley, Renee Lapaglia, Sarah Corley, Brandon Lapaglia, Erin Lapaglia and Elise Lapaglia; his sister Carol Ranneberger and her husband Robert; his many dear and loyal friends, and his large and loving extended family.

He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Phil had a close relationship with his grandkids and loved bragging about them to his friends. He left a legacy of love and an uncompromising zest for life that will be cherished by all who knew him. We will all miss him.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 from 6:00 until 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary recited at 7:30 P.M. at Colonial Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 9:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.