John T. Grappone

CONCORD - John T. Grappone, 92, of Concord, died Feb. 4, 2012, at Hospice House in Concord, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was born April 4, 1919, to Italian immigrants Rocco and Emanuella Grappone and grew up on Walker Street in Concord. He graduated from Saint John's High School in 1936.

At the age of 13, John joined the family business, first at the filling station and then at the dealerships, and continued to work there for 79 years. He never retired, continuing to greet customers almost every day at John Grappone Ford in Bow until shortly before his death. His family and his work were the most important things in his life, and he made many personal sacrifices to ensure that both were always well cared for.

When he was in his 50s, John began walking over three miles to work each day, greeting friends and neighbors along the way.

He was a very happy and very social person who loved chatting with people about their families, baseball, the stock market and, of course, Ford cars and trucks. Everyone who knew John knew how much he loved to tell jokes and make people smile.

John was a well-respected and much loved community leader, supporting many charitable organizations, including Concord Little League, the Boston Children's Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club. He was a proud member of Concord Rotary for over 50 years. In 1998 John received an honorary doctoral degree from St. Anslem College in Goffstown.

John is predeceased by three brothers and three sisters and a daughter, Joanne Rose Grappone. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth M. Grappone of Concord; a brother, Dale Childs of Franconia; sons Allen Grappone and his wife, Bridget, of Hobe Sound, Fla.; Robert Grappone and his wife, Beverly, of Bow; five grandchildren, Gretchen Grappone of Concord, Gina Grappone of Seattle, Wash., Amanda Osmer of Canterbury, Allison Grappone of Bow and Greg Grappone of Concord. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Mary, Henry and Abigail Osmer of Canterbury.

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SERVICES: Visiting hours are Monday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Waters Funeral Home, 50 S. Main St., Concord. Additional parking will be available at St. John's Church.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Parish, St. John's, 72 S. Main St., Concord. Burial will follow in the Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord.

One of John's favorite memories was the generosity of his mother, who shared produce from her large garden with neighbors in need.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Friendly Kitchen or CRVNA Hospice House, two wonderful organizations that provide comfort and care to our Concord neighbors in need.

The Friendly Kitchen is located at 14 Montgomery St., Concord 03301, or online at www.thefriendlykitchen.org; and CRVNA Hospice House, is located at 30 Pleasant St., Concord 03301. Please reference John Grappone with any donations.