May 29, 1939 – May 16, 2026
George Nicholas Papps, 86, of Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Born in Boston on May 29, 1939, George was the son of Nicholas and Helen Papps. He was predeceased by his former wife, Patricia Papps, who passed in 2020, and by his sister, Vyola Papps. He is survived by his sister, Grayce Papps; his children, Julia Papps; Nicholas Papps and his wife, Gina Alfonso; and Alexander Papps; and his cherished grandchildren, Sofia Papps and Nicolas Papps.
George lived a full and determined life, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and an unmistakably strong will. He served his country with pride in the Army National Guard and was especially proud of being accepted into Officer Candidate School and serving as a unit commander.
Professionally, George first ran the family business, Centre Cafe in West Roxbury, until 1987, before building a successful second chapter in rental real estate, owning and managing properties throughout Massachusetts’ South Shore and Rhode Island.
George was a man of many interests and strong opinions. An avid reader with a deep love of history, politics, and current events, he genuinely enjoyed spirited debate and was rarely shy about trying to convince others to see things his way. He had a dry sense of humor that often caught people off guard and left them laughing. He loved a good game of blackjack, the ocean, long drives—especially spontaneous ones with his son—and the kind of conversations that could last for hours.
He was also a man of adventure and accomplishment. George earned his pilot’s license and proudly owned a Cessna 182, embracing the freedom of flight. He was an avid skydiver in his younger years, making over 200 jumps. He also loved the water and enjoyed owning a boat. Handy and capable, he was someone who often preferred fixing what was broken rather than replacing it.
George grew up in West Roxbury, later lived in Norwood and Dedham after marriage, and eventually made his home in Brockton.
In his later years, George faced significant health challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and two strokes, but true to form, his determination remained one of his defining traits.
George was stubborn, intelligent, funny, resilient, and, in more recent years, deeply caring and empathetic. He retained his love for animals and children, his sense of humor, and his knack for plotting his next idea. Like many fathers of his generation, love was not always expressed simply or directly, but there was never any doubt that he loved his children in his own enduring way.
A graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in George’s memory.