William J. Trapanese's Obituary
William Trapanese was born January 14, 1925 in Manhattan, NY. Like many brave men of his time, Bill volunteered for the United States Army in 1943 and served honorably during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. Upon returning home to New York, Bill married is beloved wife, Mary, in 1950 and owned Dobil Jewelry Polishers until his retirement. During that time, Bill enjoyed his years flying, sailing, and skiing with his friends, kept his family on their toes with his many antics and practical jokes, and volunteered his time providing transportation at a school for children with disabilities in Long Island, NY.In 1998 he and his wife moved to Fort Myers, FL. He was a long-time member of Church of the Cross. He was married for 49 years and was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary, and his dear brothers, Albert and Alphonse. He is survived by his sister Theresa. He is also survived by his six children: William (Leigh) Trapanese of Miami, Florida; Mary Catherine of Fort Myers, Florida; Joseph (Kimberly) Trapanese Sr. of Fort Myers, Florida; Nancy (Curtis) Polk of Coral Springs, FL; Francine (Emidio) Monaco of Hillsborough, New Jersey; and Jackie (Robert) Skidmore of Long Island, New York. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren: William (Amanda), Jeffrey (Tracy), Jennifer (Jason), Elizabeth (Ryan), Joseph (Tori)., Griffin Polk, Olivia Polk, Joseph Monaco, Nicole Monaco, Brenden Skidmore, and Justin Skidmore; and his five great-grandchildren: Morgan, Lucy, Malory, Ryder, and Eloise on the way.He was a loving husband, wonderful friend, and amazing grandfather and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. The family would like for all to know that Bill was truly a man, a myth, and a legend who in his own words did not just lead a good life, but a blessed one.A Funeral Service will be celebrated 2:00 PM, Friday, August 24, 2018 at Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL. A visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon up until service time on Friday at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Meals on Wheels, a charity very near to Bill’s heart and where he volunteered for many years. Donations can be sent in Bill’s name to P.O. Box 2143 Fort Myers, FL 33902 or online at www.communitycooperative.com.
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