Joseph Robert Crapa

FUNERAL HOME

Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria

520 South Washington Street

Alexandria, Virginia

Joseph Crapa Obituary

CRAPA JOSEPH ROBERT CRAPA (Age 63) Of Alexandria, VA passed away on October 25, 2007. Joseph was the beloved husband of Barbara Anne Crapa; the caring father of Judd (Gretchen) Crapa; and the cherished grandfather of Baird and Sebastian Crapa. He also leaves behind maternal cousins, Bob (Angela) Miller, Joan Miller, James (Ann) LaSalle, Patty (Bruce) Rinschler, and Madeleine D‘Ambrosio. As well, Joseph is survived by paternal cousins Gerald Menyhart, John Demartini, Stanley Joseph, and Marylou Celmer. He will be missed dearly by his godmother, Madeleine Maccarone, as well as his wife‘s family and numerous friends. Friends will be received on Saturday, October 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday October 28 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.at the Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 29, at St. Peter‘s on Capitol Hill, 2nd St. SE, Washington DC. Interment will follow at a later date and be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joseph's memory to Georgetown Prep President's Fund in memory of Joseph Crapa, 10900 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda, MD 20852, Interfaith Alliance, P.O. Box 98143. Washington, DC 20090, or to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 27, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Crapa

10 Entries

mary jane davis

November 21, 2007

HAPPY HOLIDAY. I WILL HARD FRIST YEAR I LOST MY AUNT ON CHRISTMAS. HE IS LOOK AT YOU ALL IN HEAVEN HE SAY BE HAPPY HE SPRIRST WITH YOU.

LOVE MJ

Stacy Silveira

November 4, 2007

Dr. Crapa touched so many lives. He was my professor at Georgetown and a mentor. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to share a photo of my daughter with him and to laugh about my unexpected career choice (law) so many years after college. I will miss him.

Janet Breslin

October 31, 2007

I saw the notice of Joe's passing up here in New England. I have such warm memories of Joe, working with him on the Hill and being with both of you, talking politics and family. We will miss him so.

mary jane davis

October 29, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007

mary jane davis

October 29, 2007

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

mary jane davis

October 29, 2007

I WILL BE MISS . HE WAS MY BOSS AND GOOD FRIEND FROM EPA WATERSIDE MALL

Robin Hottle

October 28, 2007

To our Black Bear Friends:
Barbara, Judd, Gretchen, Baird & Sebastion

We will always remember our first meeting by the Shenandoah when you came to look at the property and we talked for the first time. It was immediatley a feeling of warmth. We remember Joe laughing and commenting about what good neighbors you all would have if you bought the place. Well, you did and we shared the love of the river, peace and solitude. We will still share our loves, with the laughter and voices of Baird & Sebastian to surround us, but it will always be with the picture in our minds of you and Joe, reading by the river.

Our love and sympathy to you all,

Larry & Robin Hottle

Ann Bartlett

October 27, 2007

As neighbors of Joe and Barbara, there is a loss for us too. What the newspapers haven’t disclosed is what those of us who shared dinner, or neighborly chats were privileged to see. It was an inseparable relationship. For my husband and myself, the neighbors next door were always referred to as Joe and Barbara. We never spoke of one without the other. Even today a delivery came to our house and my immediate response was “It belongs to Joe and Barbara.”

On 9/11, both were in different places in DC, but they arrived home together in the same car. Later, Joe chatted with us in the front yard and talked casually about finding solace at home with Barbara. When Joe went to the hospital in February, Barbara spent her days reading the newspaper with him. When things got tough in May with a diagnosis of cancer, she was right beside him with all her love and support. For them, working through tough issues was making a plan of action, not picking sides. I never heard criticism or rebuff from either one on anything, with the exception of President Bush’s policies.. but only one voiced their feelings, the other smiled and laughed!

For me, my memories are of Joe and Barbara, sitting outside reading the paper for hours together, and few words between them. It was time spent together, and for me, I felt honored to see a long relationship that was so solid and loving.

The government spent 14 billion dollars to study marriage in America… some of us have the privilege to have neighbors who teach us about living together by example. For us, this loss feels inconsolable.

With love and an open door,
Ann and Mike

Madeleine d'Ambrosio

October 27, 2007

Dear Barbara and Judd,
I will always hold Joseph close to my heart. I admired him greatly and loved him like a brother. I will always for grateful for his kindness to me and for his support and encouragement. He lifted me up so frequently when I needed him. We had wonderful conversations over the course of this last year and in spite of all he went through, he remained Joseph to the end.
I pray that God will give you the strength you will need to carry on without him.
With much love,
Madeleine

FRANCIS J. VACCA

October 27, 2007

TO BARBARA AND JUDD , YOU BOTH KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVED JOE, AS A BROTHER . FROM THE TIME HE WORKED ON THE HOUSE AG SUBCOMMITTE TO THE TIMES YOU ALL VISITED ME IN ROME ( AND VISITED THE GRAVES JOE LOVED TO VISIT ) TO THE TIME 2 YEARS AGO WHEN HE VISTED ME HERE IN SWITZERLAND .
HE WAS A WONDEFUL MAN AND FRIEND . I WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH.
MY LOVE TO YOU ALL AT THIS TIME OF SADNESS.

FRANK VACCA

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