William J. Cupelo, 90, of N. Smithfield, RI, died Friday, January 20, 2012 at Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. He was the beloved husband of Genevieve (Mastellone) Cupelo who died in 1990.
Born in Syracuse, NY on August 10, 1921, he was a son of the late Pasquale and Concetta (Fruscello) Cupelo.
Mr. Cupelo resided at the St. Antoine Residence in N. Smithfield for the past 6 years and formerly resided in Franklin and Valley Stream, NY.
Mr. Cupelo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY. He was a Marine Corp veteran of WWII and served for eleven years. He attained the rank of Captain and earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 1 Star, the American Theater Medal, the China Service Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
He was a salesman at Mascon Printing Co. in New York City retiring as vice-president and head of sales.
Mr. Cupelo was a member of the Knights of Columbus #5962 in Hewlett, NY. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by five children, Patricia Curry of Pittsfield, William F. Cupelo and his wife Donna of Franklin, John M. Cupelo of Naples, FL, Laura Cupelo of Rockville Centre, NY and Mary Adams and her husband Robert of Jacksonville, FL.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two brothers, Robert and Patrick Cupelo, both of Syracuse, NY.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:45 a.m. from the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main St. in Franklin followed by a funeral Mass at the St. Antoine Chapel, 10 Rhodes Ave. in N. Smithfield at 9 a.m.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin.
A funeral will also be celebrated from the Moore Funeral Home, 54 West Jamaica in Valley Stream, NY (www.themoorefuneralhome.com) on Thursday, January 26 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 1346 Broadway, Hewlett, NY at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, NY.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the St. Antoine Residence, 10 Rhodes Ave., N. Smithfield, RI 02896 or to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.