PUNTA GORDA, Fla. and BELFAST — Frank Joseph Riposta, 85, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Feb. 28, 2016, in Belfast. He was born in Kearny, N.J., on March 13, 1930.

Frank grew up in Kearny, graduating from Kearny High School in 1948. He attended Stevens Tech in Newark. On July 21, 1951, he married Katherine Bishop of Millinocket. Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army on the day of his wedding rehearsal and served in Korea. He was discharged in 1953 and went to work for engineering companies in design/drafting.

He and Katherine had a daughter and two sons; they lived in Union, N.J. After a tragic fire took the life of their youngest son, Andrew, they moved to Morris County with their daughter, Virginia, and son, Mark. Raising their family in Chatham Township, they were active in Long Hill Chapel, where Frank served as Sunday school superintendent. Frank took great pleasure in having his children memorize Bible verses to guide their life. He loved church worship, Bible study and service to others.

Upon retirement from work in New Jersey, Frank and Katherine tried life in Maine for a few years to be near their son and his family, but winters convinced them to retire to Florida. Since 1994, their home was in Punta Gorda, Fla. Active in retirement, Frank enjoyed biking, walking and reading, he did magic for senior citizens and youth groups, provided hospitality to foreign teachers and students, gave 1,500 hours of service as a volunteer at Bayfront Hospital, assisted chaplains in visiting local prisons, and with Katherine, was an active member in Grace Presbyterian church.

Frank was predeceased by two sisters, Phyllis Russo and Virginia Pietoso; and his brothers, Joseph, Sammie, Jerry and Louis. Frank is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Katherine (Bishop) Riposta. He was especially proud of his children, Dr. Virginia R. Heslinga and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Heslinga, of Ashland, Va., and Mark Riposta and wife, Pamela, of Belfast; his grandchildren, Joshua Heslinga and his wife, Christine, of Montpelier, Va., Joy Heslinga of Rhode Island, Katherine Riposta and her husband, Jojo Oliphant, of Belfast, Andrew Riposta of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Kimberley Riposta and Allen Weaver of Belfast. He also has three great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Audrey Heslinga of Montpelier, Va., and Mya Oliphant of Belfast; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to call on Wednesday, March 2 from 2 to 4 p.m., with a service immediately following at 4 p.m., at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast.

With thanks for their great care for Frank, those who wish may make donations in Frank's name to Waldo County Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 407, Belfast, ME 04915.