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Thomas Lapolla Obituary
FDNY Engine 157/Ladder 80; family and faith were his priorities
Thomas P. Lapolla, 85, of Great Kills, passed away on Friday, November 13, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born Sunday, March 17, 1935, in Manhattan and raised in Middle Village, Queens, N.Y., he was the son of the late Mazzini Lapolla and Anna Harkins-Lapolla. He was the beloved husband of Sheila Lapolla (nee Harrington).
Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1954-1956 as a radar specialist in Fort Meade, Md.
He attended SUNY Plattsburgh and Queens College. He then started a career with the FDNY. He was assigned to Queens at Engine 312 then transferred to Engine 157/Ladder 80 in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
His family and faith were very important to him. He was a parishioner of St. Clare's in Great Kills for 55 years and worked for St. Vincent De Paul for 30 years.
Surviving are his wife Sheila, his children, Thomas P. Lapolla Jr. (Mary), Helene Lapolla, John Lapolla (Deirdre), Joseph Lapolla (Lisa) and Brian Lapolla; his brother Joseph Lapolla, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
He was predeceased by his brother Frankie and sister Maryann.
After funeral Mass at St. Clare's on Tuesday he will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Lapolla
Lorraine Camello Firing
November 10, 2024
Miss Tom. A wonderful man and a true and loyal friend
God Bless you Tom resting in God´s loving arms
Jamie Tripoli Costantino
December 2, 2020
May he rest in eternal peace the Tripoli and Costantino family
Vincent Tummino
November 21, 2020
RIP , Tom .
Charles E Dalton
November 18, 2020
My condolences .Tom was a gentleman.He was a Brother both active and retired of the FDNY . Rest peacefully
Charles E Dalton
Former NYPD TOM Jr.
Ret T.L.77 FDNY
Brian Sullivan
November 17, 2020
Tom was one of the guys I worked with my first tour in L-80 Nov. 1986 after transferring from Brooklyn..He was a tremendous fireman, wonderful family man and a great friend,,,,we had many, many laughs and good times during our time together,,May God Bless Tom and entire LaPolla family
Janet Grassia
November 17, 2020
Sheila and Helene, please accept my sincerest condolences and extend my sympathies to the rest of your family. May he rest in eternal peace
Lorraine Firing
November 16, 2020
Mr. LaPolla was a very special gentleman. He was so kind and caring. He saw to it that my Dad’s 90th birthday was a wonderful celebration with all his coworkers from FDNY. Rest In Peace Mr. LaPolla. You will be dearly missed.
John Williams
November 16, 2020
I will always have fond memories of Mr. Lapolla, from the days being a kid on the block, to the times he would share his advice as an FDNY retiree. God Bless.
John Williams
November 16, 2020
What a great honor to have known Mr. Lapolla. I will always have fond memories from the days as one of the kids on the block, until the days he would share his advice as an FDNY retiree. God Bless.
William Maguire
November 16, 2020
Thomas had a handsome and strong Irish-Italian face you could not miss.He will be missed by all that knew him and his large family .He is resting in peace now. (1935-2020).
Dan C.
November 16, 2020
I learned at a very early age about the New York City Fire Department. Mr. Lapolla would walk down Oakdale street and alway have a story. I was only 12 yrs old..haha..but I listened along with my dad and those two always continued the conversation for quite a while I might add. Tom was a gentleman , a fine neighbor and I could only imagine how good a firefighter he was. Everyday he walked past my house and always a wave or a conversation. Rest In Peace. Thank you for your service. You dun good.
Noel McLaughlin
November 16, 2020
Sheila I am so sorry about Tom. If you need something or any kind of help you know where I am
tom mcgoff..FDNY
November 16, 2020
rest in peace tom.
prayers for the LaPolla family.
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