Mario Rapaglia

Golf instructor and business owner, devoted father and grandfather

Mario Nunzio Rapaglia Sr., 78, passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2017, in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Born in 1939 in Sicily, Mario immigrated to Brooklyn in 1956 and met his future wife, Constance. They were married in 1959. He settled in Eltingville in 1980.

He was a hair stylist and restaurateur until multiple heart attacks in the 1980s forced him to retire from the demanding life style of a business owner. Making lemonade out lemons, as they say, he played a lot of golf and his game improved so much that he was able to become a golf instructor with the help of the PGA. He taught at both Latourette and South Shore Golf Courses. Following the death of his loving wife of 38 years, he moved to Florida and continued to teach golf and then retired.

Mario was a faithful Catholic. With firm confidence he said before his death, "I know God is with me." He was thoroughly devoted to his children and grandchildren. They always felt deeply cherished by him and his support was tangible.

His hobbies included politics and current events, literature, music and dancing. He is survived by four children (and their spouses), Raymond (Tracey), Mario (Debra), Nicole Fulciniti (Thomas) and Father Eric, the pastor of Sacred Heart Church in West Brighton. His 10 grandchildren are: Nicole, Michael, Daniella, Thomas, Anthony, Matthew, Alexander, Raymond, Miranda and pregnant Tracey's unborn child.

He is also survived by a brother, Salvatore, and two sisters, Maria and Rosalie. His family is very grateful to the Lord Jesus for giving Mario so many blessings in this life and for giving them such a loving dad and grandpa.

The wake is at Harmon Funeral Home on Forest Avenue, Thursday, March 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral Mass is Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church on Castleton Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sacred Heart Church in Mario's name for the parish's outreach to the poor.

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Ave.

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718) 442-5056 - See more at: http://obits.silive.com/obituaries/siadvance/obituary.aspx?n=mario-rapaglia&pid=184313103#sthash.fzJb2NoY.dpuf