Salvatore "Zeke" Rappa

Salvatore "Zeke" Rappa, 87, of Latimer Hill Road, Ames, NY died at the home of his daughter, early Wednesday, July 4, 2007 with his family by his side. Born on June 14, 1920 in Flat Creek, NY he was the son of the late Cesare and Maria D'Amico Rappa. He was a lifelong area resident and attended the one room school house in Flat Creek. For over 30 years he plowed the land in Western Montgomery County. After leaving the family farm, he operated his own farm in Ames until his retirement in 1986. Zeke was a character at heart who loved his family. He enjoyed farming and truck driving, but above all he loved his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. On September 21, 1946 he was united in marriage to the former Margaret Oeser at St. Peter & Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Canajoharie. He is also survived by his three daughters, Mari R. Bartholomew and her husband Larry; Margaret Ann Tryon and her husband Ronnie and Sally Anne Rappa, all of Ames, NY; one sister, Margaret Salamone of Canajoharie, NY; five grandchildren, Crissy M. Jenks and her husband Thomas of Canajoharie, NY, Sarah Lunde and her husband Paul of Schoharie, Tracey Tryon of Canajoharie, NY, Joe Bartholomew of Irvine, CA, Lisa Tryon of Albany, NY; four great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Thomas Jenks Jr. and his two new twin great granddaughters, Brienna and Makenna Lunde; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by three sisters, Anna Rappa Lamanna, Marian Donatucci and Mary Smith; and his two brothers, Christopher and John Rappa. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11a.m. at St. Peter & Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Cliff Street, Canajoharie with the Rev. Kenneth Kenny OFM Conv. as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Ames Cemetery. Calling hours will be held this evening Friday from 5 until 8 at the funeral home. A Legacy Candle Ceremony will be held on Friday evening at 8p.m. to celebrate the life of "Zeke." Memorial contributions may be made to the Ames Volunteer Fire Department, 595 Latimer Hill Road, Canajoharie, New York 13317, Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, New York 12078, The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208 or to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.