Biography

Edward Sparapani was born in Millville, New Jersey on November 29, 1915 and died on January 30, 2010 at the Samantha Wilson Care Center at Bay View in St. Augustine Ed was a WWII veteran and an active member of the Lions Club for many years. A Memorial Service for Ed will be held at 11:00am Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Craig Funeral Home.

In his youth Ed was an avid athlete, running track and pole-vaulting. At an early age he became interested in taking and developing pictures, and his love and talent for photography was life-long. During World War II Ed served proudly as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers and the Signal Corp, stationed in India, Africa, and China.

After the war Ed returned to civilian life and worked in the laboratory at Yale University and for the Atomic Energy Commission. He built his own house and moved to Rocky Hill, Connecticut in the early 1950’s; he also opened his own business, Central Auto Supply in downtown Hartford. He married Evelyn McLaughlin in 1956, and is the father of three children, Leora Dowling, of Vergennes, Vermont; Sondra Sparapani of Elkton, Florida; and Philip Sparapani, also of Vermont.

Ed was a dedicated volunteer, joining the Lions Club in 1961 and remaining active in the organization until his death. He was especially involved in the Lions hearing and vision programs, and served on numerous local and state committees in both Connecticut and Florida. Ed had many interests beside Lionism and photography. He and his wife, who pre-deceased him in 1999, traveled extensively. Ed was also a ham radio operator, a talented carpenter, an amateur magician, a private pilot, an accomplished Italian chef, played the guitar, and was a lifelong learner. He and his wife moved to St. Augustine permanently in 1993.

In his final years, Ed was an inspiration to all. Despite losing two legs to diabetes, he remained active in both the Lions Club and in life. An optimist and fighter, Ed learned to walk using prosthetics at age 88 and remained proudly independent. He could frequently be seen around town dining with friends and family at local eateries. He also established the “Global Chat” at The Pavilion at Bay View, the place he called home, where he led weekly discussions on current events, American history, and other topics.

Ed was predeceased by his wife and two sisters, Adele Rapani and Irma Ruggerio. Besides his children he is survived by his son-in-law, Glen Dowling, his brother Leo and his wife Pat, of Jupiter, Florida; brother Reny and his wife Janet, of East Haven, Connecticut; and his sister, Jean Grimshaw and her husband Bob, also of East Haven, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was the ultimate people person and he also leaves many loyal friends including Sarah Schaeffer and Tom Gagne of St. Augustine; his fellow Lions in St. Augustine and Rocky Hill; the residents and staff of The Pavilion at Bay View; and the many kind doctors, nurses, and others who looked after him most recently at Flagler Hospital and the Samantha Wilson Care Center at Bay View.

Memorial Service

Saturday February 6, 2010, 11:00 am at Craig Funeral Home
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