BEVERLY: Dominic J. “Nick” Papa, 90, of Jaclen Towers, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 in the Blueberry Hill Healthcare following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Olive J. (Parro) Papa who died in April 2000.
Born in Beverly on May 11, 1921, he was the son of the late John and Vincenza (DeSimone) Papa who had emigrated from Fondi, Italy. A lifelong resident of Beverly, he was a graduate of Beverly High School class of 1941, where they just celebrated their 70th class reunion in October. Dominic was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He flew thirty-five missions in the ball turret of a B17, before being honorably discharged on August 3, 1945. He was a member and Past Commander of the Herman A. Spear Post #331, American Legion and a member of the Fortunato VFW Post #545 both of Beverly. He was proud to have marched in the Beverly Memorial Day Parade for the past sitxy years.
Along with his brother, Raymond, he had co-owned and operated the Colonial Cleaners on Elliott Street for sixty years before his retirement in 2005.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Richard Thompson of Beverly; two sisters, Yolanda Lunn and Marguerita Bettencourt both of Beverly; a sister-in-law, Beatrice Papa of Beverly; one granddaughter, Sandy Liacos and her husband David of Beverly; two great-grandsons, Luke and Ryan Liacos both of Beverly; many nieces and nephews, including Joan Matton and Stephen Baglioni both of Beverly; several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins and many kind and generous friends at Jaclen Towers. He was also predeceased by his son, D. Stephen Papa, two sisters, Marie Matton and Margaret Bateman Frasca and four brothers, John, Antonio, Raymond and Rockey Papa.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. As per Nick’s request, there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly, MA 01915 or to the Fortunato VFW Post #545, P.O. Box 424, Beverly, MA 01915. Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly.