Born March 22, 1920, in Lodi, New Jersey, he was the oldest son of Emil Michael Papio and Stella Bolton. He spent his early years there but grew up and attended schools in New York City, where he met the love of his life, Josephine (Cirrincione). They married on May 24, 1943, in Manhattan. She predeceased him in 2017 after more than seventy-three years of marriage blessed by two daughters and many friends.
Alfonso is survived by his daughters Madeline Lacovara and her husband Philip, Judy Mastracchio and her husband, Noel Teichman; ten grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren, with two more great-great-grandchildren expected within months.
Alfonso enlisted in the United States Navy in 1940 and served until 1945. When the country went to war, Alfonso was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which had sailed from Pearl Harbor shortly before the December 7 attack. He later joined the destroyer USS Ford. He was a fireman working in the ship's bowels, running the boilers. While serving aboard the Ford he took part in many battles in the South Pacific theater; the Ford was the only ship in its flotilla to survive the war. He always attributed his endurance to the novenas of his bride.
Upon rotating out of the Navy, he returned home to New York, attended classes at the Pratt Institute, and obtained a license as an operating engineer. He and his family moved to Elmhurst, New York. He supported his family in those difficult post-war days by usually working two jobs.
In 1956, he became a Custodian Engineer for the Board of Education of the City of New York, beginning his long tenure of public property management in Queens Village, then later in Little Neck and Bedford-Stuyvesant. He finished his career at the Board’s Headquarters located in downtown Brooklyn.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anne's Council #2429 in Queens Village, serving in various offices and eventually becoming the Grand Knight. Alfonso was also a 4th Degree Knight.
When he retired from the New York school system in 1981, he and Josephine relocated to South Plymouth, New York. He became active in his parish, St. Bartholomew, in nearby Norwich, and volunteered for several positions with the local government, including property assessor. He raised funds for and built Foster Park in Norwich. These riverside grounds and picnic areas have been enjoyed immensely by the locals over the years. Until well into his nineties he enjoyed playing golf and bowling with friends, and he and Josephine hosted many a pinochle game in their home.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Those wishing to honor Alfonso's memory may donate to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or to the St. Bartholomew Capital Campaign Fund, 81 East Main Street, Norwich NY, 13815.
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