Laurence Joseph "Buddy" Del Papa

DEL PAPA, Laurence Joseph "Buddy," 84, of Kinsale, Va., died April 5, 2010 in Richmond after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mildred Engleman Del Papa; and son, John Edward Del Papa. Buddy was born in Richmond and graduated from St. Patrick High School. A WWII veteran, he joined the Marines at age 17, with special permission granted by his mother. He volunteered to train at the Naval Air Gunners School and was eventually stationed in Japan during the WWII Occupation. He was active in the Callao Marine Corps League until death, signing paymaster documents to the end. Buddy graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in Physics. He began his career with CSX in Richmond as a communications engineer and was later transferred to Huntington, W.Va. He was an avid follower of college football, with a particular interest in Marshall University. In his retirement on the lovely Yeocomico River, he enjoyed entertaining family and friends, fishing, crabbing and spaghetti dinners. He served his community as Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Staff Officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Southern Region Portsmouth, spending many weekends patrolling the Potomac. Buddy was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Kilmarnock and an active member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Hague, Va. He leaves his sister, Jean K. Noble and husband, Lewis, of Seaford, Va.; brother, James B. Del Papa of Kinston, N.C.; sister-in-law, Agnes McFadden of Portsmouth, Va.; his sons, Larry, David and Paul Del Papa and his wife, Kathy, all of Nashville, Tenn., Charles Del Papa and his wife, Rebecca, of Huntington, W.Va.; daughters, Cynthia Shaughnessy of Huntington, W.Va. and Therese Hall and husband, David, of Richmond; 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:05 p.m. on Friday, April 9 at The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 800 South Cathedral Place, Richmond, Va 23220. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Hague, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Paul's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 65, Hague, Va. 22469. Online condolences may be registered at www.blileys.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.