Roman S. Lapinski

Lapinski, Roman S. GUILDERLAND Roman S. (Ray) Lapinski, 86, died Monday, September 8, 2008 at home. Born in Middle Village, Queens, N.Y., the son of two Polish immigrants. The first in his family to go to college, he attended St. John's University. Afterwards, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a 2nd Lieutenant as a navigator on B-29 airplanes. His service included flying missions over Japan and the South Pacific in the final year of World War II. He returned home and married Blanche (Bronislas) Lipko in 1947 and raised four children with her. He took great pride in all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. He used every opportunity to brag about their accomplishments. Ray loved his family and spent much of his life dedicated to being a caring and nurturing dad and grandpa. He was active in the Polish community of New York City his whole life, including being a member of the first NYC Pulaski Day Parade Committee and being named Citizen of the Year by the Polish American World in 1979. He spent much of his working career in public service and most of it at the NYS Liquor Authority where he served as a deputy commissioner from 1959 until his retirement in 1983. For over 40 years, he served as a director and then chair of the board of the Atlas Savings and Loan Association in Brooklyn, N.Y. He had a passion for sports and was a dedicated fan of the NY Giants and NY Mets. He was thrilled that both teams gave him something to cheer about in the final year of his life. He also loved to speak and sing in public and was the life of any party. Predeceased by his loving wife of 35 years, Blanche. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Christine (David Weller), Mary Voytus (Walter), Ann (Fred Barker) and Joseph (Daryl Bart); his eight grandchildren, Adam, Sophia, Joseph, Tanya, Jesse, Andrew, Sujin, Nathan and Allison; his great-grandchild, Aveyah Weller; also survived by special friend, Peggy Sklenar; his sister, Jean Roberts and many loved cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was also predeceased by his brother, John and sister, Helen Grzegorek . The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to his hospice team, Shelly, Robaire, Diana and Joel. They helped maintain his spirit and dignity throughout his illness. The family invites relatives and friends to attend his funeral Friday 10 a.m. at St. John's St. Ann's Church of Albany, N.Y. where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated. Friends may call in the Rockefeller Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. An interment ceremony will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 4902 Laurel Hill Blvd., Flushing, N.Y. on Saturday, September 13 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. (Please call Rockefeller for details) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.