Joseph E. Rapallo

Joseph E. Rapallo, age 104, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Brightview Assisted Living, where he had resided for the past seven years.

Born on October 17, 1920, in Boston’s North End, Joseph was the beloved son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Pecci) Rapallo. He later moved to Medford and eventually settled in Wakefield, where he spent his later years surrounded by family and friends.

During the Great Depression, at just 13 years old, Joseph joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, offering much-needed financial support to his family—a remarkable act of responsibility and resilience that would come to define his character.

In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with honor during World War II, fighting in some of the deadliest battles of the Pacific Theater, including Guadalcanal and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. In later years, he shared his wartime experiences—stories marked by courage, sacrifice, and the deep bonds between young men who fought for their country, their families, and one another. In honor of Joseph and several of his cousins who also served in World War II, the City of Medford named a street "Rapallo Circle"—a lasting tribute to the family's extraordinary commitment to military service and their country.

After returning home, Joseph built a meaningful career as a licensed electrician. He worked at the Boston Naval Shipyard until its closure, then continued independently. Known for his dependability and generous nature, he was always ready to lend a hand and fix what was broken.

He was the devoted husband of the late Marjorie (Deschamps) Rapallo and the loving father of Karen Rapallo of Wakefield and Gale Rapallo of California, and father-in-law to Timothy Mathern.

Joseph had a heartfelt love for animals—especially dogs—and a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life. He treasured time with family and friends, loved dining out, and enjoyed going for walks. Never one to sit still for long, he was always up for an adventure, often asking, “What are we going to do today?” Even in his later years, he often insisted he was “just looking down,” never quite admitting to a nap. For over 20 years, he met a group of friends in Medford every morning for coffee—a daily tradition that brought him joy and connection.

At Brightview Senior Living, he embraced his community with kindness and warmth. He enjoyed playing bingo, going on outings, and building lasting friendships with fellow residents and staff. He often smiled and quoted Mickey Mantle, saying, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself”—a lighthearted reflection on a life well-lived.

A visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Saturday, April 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. His Funeral Service will follow immediately at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Joseph’s life was a testament to service, humility, strength, and love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to causes close to his heart:

Bubbles Dog Rescue.org (https://bubblesdogrescue.org/sponsor-a-dog or Venmo: @bubblesdogrescueNOFEE) – supporting the care and rescue of animals he so deeply loved

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) https://support.dav.org/campaign/Joseph-Rapallo – honoring the service and sacrifice of his fellow veterans.