OWLS HEAD — John B. Rapose, 93, died Nov. 29, 2012, at Togus Springs Hospice Unit, following a brief period of declining health.

Born in Taunton, Mass., April 3, 1919, he was the son of Anthony and Maria Braga Rapoza. He was a 1936 graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton.

Following high school, Mr. Rapose enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Sampson, N.Y., where he was assigned to the Gilmore Unit, serving as assistant company commander. He later moved to Boston, then to Ft. Kyler, N.Y., where he served with the New York Harbor Patrol. Moving on to Key West, Fla., Mr. Rapose served aboard a sub-chaser in the Pacific. Following decommissioning of the sub-chaser, he was stationed to the USS Camberra C.A. 70. He was serving aboard that ship when it was torpedoed off the coast of Formosa, losing 21 of his shipmates. The ship was sent to Boston for repairs, then to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Mr. Rapose was ultimately discharged from that ship when it was 'moth-balled' at Pier 4 in San Francisco, Calif. More recently, Mr. Rapose has enjoyed attending annual anniversary gatherings of the USS Camberra C.A. 70 and C.A. 2.

On Oct. 22, 1940, Mr. Rapose married Josephine Medeiros in Somerset, Mass. Together they made their home in Irvington, N.J., where Mr. Rapose worked with Pep Boy's Automotive and for one year with CO2 Fire Equipment Company in Newark. Since 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Rapose have enjoyed wintering in Florida. Mrs. Rapose passed away in 2009.

Following the war, Mr. Rapose lived for a brief time in Gardiner, where he worked with Augusta Supply Company. In 1947 he moved to Rockland, where he began employment with the former Crie Hardware, eventually becoming manager and working with that company for 22 years.

In 1967, Mr. Rapose opened Rapose True Value Hardware on Main Street in Rockland, which he operated until his retirement in 1982.

For many years Mr. Rapose was an active member of the Rockland Chamber of Commerce. He held the longest standing membership with the Rockland Lodge of Elks, with over 65 years of participation. He was also a senior member, past president and past lieutenant governor of the Rockland Kiwanis Club, past grand knight and past district deputy with the Knights of Columbus; as well as a member of the Rockland VFW Memorial Post No. 2499 and Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1 inRockland. He also held membership with the Eagles Lodge and Royal Order of the Moose in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Predeceased by his wife; and his siblings, Joseph Rapoza, Dorothy Manoun, Genevieve Silva and Elsie Souza; Mr. Rapose is survived by his three daughters, Jacqueline R. Raye and her companion, Gary M. Leach, of Union, Claudia Ann Peterson of Greenville, S.C., and Mary Rapose of Owls Head; seven grandchildren, Douglas Raye of Cushing, Melisa McMahan of Thomaston, Theresa Gibson and Thomas Peterson, both of Greenville, S.C., John Conway and Corey Conway both of Rockland, and Josie Knowles of Dover Foxcroft; 14 great-grandchildren; and seven great great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit Friday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Togus Springs Hospice Unit, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330.

To share a memory or condolence with Mr. Rapose's family, visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.