New Bedford – Augustus Rapoza, age 90, died Sunday, August, 28 2011 at Whalers Cove. He was the beloved husband of Mary F. (Faria) Rapoza of New Bedford. Mr Rapoza was the father of Dr. Paul A. Rapoza M.D., husband of Dr. Kathy Hayden M.D. of Rochester, NY and Dr. Peter A. Rapoza M.D., husband of Astrid Rapoza Dr. Med. of Boston. He was the grandfather of Matthew, Rachael, Jared, Christopher, Rebecca and Cyrus Rapoza. Gus was the brother of Leonard Rapoza of Stoughton, Jesuina Bernier of N. Dartmouth, Mary R. Vieira of S. Dartmouth and the late Joseph, Antone, Edmund and Olivia Rapoza and Hilda Sylvia. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Mr. Rapoza was born in New Bedford, a son of the late Antone and Julia (Perry) Rapoza. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and played with the U.S. Navy Band, attaining the rank of Musician 2nd Class, serving in Boston and New Foundland. Gus was a member of the Am Vets Post 62, the American Federation of Musicians- Local 214, the YMCA and the Dartmouth Community Band.
Mr. Rapoza served as a firefighter for the city of New Bedford and also was a collector for the Fall River Philanthropic Burial Society of Fall River Ma. He was also associated with the Art and Matt Perry Orchestras for many years. Mr. Rapoza was a communicant of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Mr. Rapoza’s funeral will be Friday. Everyone is asked to please meet directly at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Earle St, New Bedford at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery with military honors. Visiting hours are Thursday evening from 6 – 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited. Arrangements are by the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the New Bedford Fire Museum, 51 Bedford St., New Bedford, MA.02740