Robert J. Rappa

1936 - 2017

Robert Bob J. Rappa beloved husband of Nancy (Crandall) Rappa died Monday, January 30th after a long battle with Parkinsons disease at Golden Living Center, Norwood MA. Bob was born in Franklin on March 11, 1936, one of four children of Mamie (Ficco) Rappa of Franklin, MA and Joe Rappa of Revere, MA; brother to Joanne Sims and Joseph Rappa of Franklin and Rosemary Guilbault of Holbrook, MA. Bob attended elementary school in Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School. He played football at Franklin High School and was Treasurer of the infamous class of 1953. Bob graduated from Dean College in 1956 and Clark University in Worcester in 1958. In 1959 he became the youngest Town Treasurer in the State of Massachusetts; serving the Town of Franklin until 1967 when he accepted the newly created position of Town Accountant, a job he held until 1973. He was recognized by the Franklin Jaycees in 1967 with their Distinguished Service Award and was honored in 1988 by the United Chamber of Commerce with their Chamber Businessman of the Year. Bob joined the Keefe Insurance Agency in 1973, became an owner in 1988 and worked there until his retirement in 2007. A proud townie, he was devoted to the Franklin community. He was a founding member of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School building committee in 1974 and served on the School Committee for 42 years; retiring in 2016. Bob was a director of Dean Bank for 37 years serving as Board Chairman and on various other committees. He was Treasurer for the United Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer of the Frances Eddy King Scholarship Committee until retiring in 2016. Bob was a faithful communicant of St. Marys Church and a member of the Sacred Heart Council Knights of Columbus and the St. Anthony Society. Bob was an avid Patriots fan, enjoyed playing and watching golf, and loved being with his family and friends. Bob was a devoted husband to his wife Nancy of 55 years and a generous and loving to his daughters Lori and her husband Luis Rodriguez of Lynbrook, New York, Jill Rappa of Franklin, Jodi and her husband Koren Kanadanian of Franklin, Kristen and her husband Marc Gazzola of Franklin and his son Robert Jr. Rob and his wife Susan (Vieira) Rappa of Franklin. Bob is predeceased by his beautiful daughter Leslie Rappa. He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren; Emily Kanadanian, Leslie, Anthony and Isabel Rodriguez, Sarah Rappa, Gianna Gazzola and Joshua and Bethany Rappa. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4 in St. Marys Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Calling hours will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin. Donations in his name can be made to the Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 or the Friends of Franklin, 50 Corbin St. Franklin, MA 02038