In Memoriam: Ralph A. Paparella ’40; was believed to be oldest living basketball Friar
Ralph A. Paparella ’40, who was believed to be the oldest living former member of the Providence College men’s basketball team, died on Nov. 24, 2019. He was 101.
Born in Providence, he was an honors graduate and three-sport athlete at East Providence High School before enrolling at PC. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education and later received graduate degrees from Rhode Island College and the University of Connecticut.
As an undergraduate, Mr. Paparella was a member of the Friars’ basketball team for three years and also played club football. In 2018, at the age of 99, he was recognized for his military service at a ceremony held during a PC-DePaul basketball game before a sellout crowd at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Mr. Paparella served as an aircraft identification instructor in the U.S. Army-Air Corps during World War II, teaching pilots how to identify friendly and enemy planes.
After the war, he returned to East Providence where he embarked on a lengthy career as a physical education teacher in the city’s school system. He taught students at all grade levels from 1945-1979, earning a reputation for his creative and outgoing nature.
He remained active in veterans’ affairs, serving as district state commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and national officer of the Italian American War Veterans.
Mr. Paparella is survived by a daughter and her husband; one son; two grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.
His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Dec. 3 in Our Lady of Loreto Church, East Providence, followed by burial with military honors in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, R.I.
