James W. Pappas

James W. Pappas, 93, of Dartmouth, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Brandon Woods of Dartmouth. He was the husband of the late Margaret Mary (Bashall) Pappas and the late Rita M. (Pieroni) Pappas.

Born in Quincy, a son of the late William and Stella (Rosantes) Pappas, he had resided in Dartmouth for the past 25 years and previously lived in Somerset and Daytona Beach, Florida.

He was a graduate of Quincy High School, class of 1935 and received an accounting degree from Bryant and Stratton Commercial School, class of 1937.

Mr. Pappas served in the United States Army during World War II attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Serving in the 483rd squadron, he flew 21 missions with the 15th Air Force in the Flying Fortress as a bombardier and gunner over Germany and Italy. His decorations included the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with One Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, One Service Stripe and One Overseas Bar.

Mr. Pappas was the president and co-founder along with Maurice Lincourt of Lincourt and Pappas Insurance Co., Inc. in Somerset in 1954. The business relocated to Fall River in 1966 where it remains a successful operation.

An avid golfer, Mr. Pappas was a longtime member of the Country Club of New Bedford. In earlier years, he enjoyed spending time by the ocean.

Survivors include three sons, William J. Pappas and his wife Marcia of Boston and St. Augustine, FL, Robert J. Pappas and his wife Kathleen of South Dartmouth and Peter B. Pappas of Fall River; a brother, Charles Pappas and his wife Barbara of Acton, MA and Venice, FL; six grandchildren, Chylese M. and Eric Austin of Portland, OR, Christopher and Alison Pappas of Santa Monica, CA, Nicholas C. Pappas and Mary Ellen Lynch of Newport, RI, Anne C. Pappas Hagerty and James Hagerty of Savannah, GA, Jonathan Pappas of Ventura, CA and James Michael Pappas of Fall River; four great-grandchildren, Charlotte E. Austin of Portland, OR, Charles Pappas of Santa Monica, CA, Christian A. Hagerty and Charlotte K. Hagerty of Savannah, GA; and a former daughter-in-law, Janine Ainsworth of Fall River. He was predeceased by his sisters, Dorothea “Dot” Vlahos and Anastasia “Anna” Naumes.

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:30am in St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 289 No. Main St., Fall River. Visiting hours Friday 5-8pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Somerset. For online tributes and directions: www.waring-sullivan.com