Manuel Raposa

Manuel Rappie Raposa passed away peacefully at home on February 25 with his loving family by his side.Manuel was born on February 22, 1923 in Fall River, MA to Miguel and Alpeta Rapoza.

Rappie enlisted in the Army on December 7, 1942 and served in WWII as a 2nd class gunner in the 83rd Replacement Battalion. He was the recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Victory Medal, and the American Theater Medal before he was honorably discharged in 1946 as a disabled Veteran.

He met and married the love of his life, Anna Silveira, on September 1, 1951. Following his service in the Army, Rappie became the manager of the package store at the Naval Station in Newport until his retirement in 1985.

Rappie was strong in his faith and was a dedicated parishioner of Jesus Saviour Church serving as an usher for several decades. As a young man, Rappie was a great soccer goalie for the Liberal Soccer Club Fall River, he also was a member of the local bowling league, played the violin, and coached Middletown Little League for several years. In his later years he enjoyed games shows on TV, working out in the yard, sketching, oil painting, coloring and typing his favorite Bible verses. Most of all Rappie was a faithful fan of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots; he attended several games during his years. He developed and organized an impressive collection of numerous binders filled with his collectible cards from baseball, hockey, and soccer.

Rappie is predeceased by his wife Anna and his siblings Joseph, Philamena, Michael, and Antone. He leaves behind his daughter Ann Marie Linville and her husband, Richard, his grandchildren Eric, Marc, and James Linville and his great grandson Logan Linville all of California. He also leaves behind his siblings Mary Gouveia and her husband Albert, Helen Mello and her late husband Mickey, Patricia Richner and her husband James all of Fall River, and Michael Raposa and his wife Linda of Brunswick, Maine. He leaves many nieces and nephews, in particular his beloved niece Theresa Spengler and his care taker, good friend, and card playing buddy, Charlene Lambert.

A special thank you to Dr. Pianka, Dr. Papa, all the caring staff at Newport Hospital 5th Floor, Dr. Cicchelli, Visiting Nurses Services, and so many others, for their kind and loving care throughout the years.He will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 2 at 8am at the Memorial Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway, Newport. Burial with military honors will follow at Newport Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice, 1184 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871 and Newport Hospital Cancer Institute (5th Floor), 20 Powell Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.