Salvatore Trapani (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Salvatore Richard Trapani, son of Salvatore and Stephanie Jezcerny Trapani, was born December 22, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois. He departed this life Tuesday, June 19, 2012, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-two years, five months, and twenty-seven days.
Stacy or Sal, as he was called, graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1937. He entered the United States Army in 1942, and was eventually stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where, in addition to training engineers, he played piano in a jazz band. He met Anna Lee Wagoner, of Lebanon, on a blind date in 1943, and married her on April 15, 1944. They were married for sixty-three years until Lee preceded him in death on October 21, 2007. They had four children.
Discharged in 1946, Stacy worked as a lithographer in Chicago. He continued to play jazz piano with a combo in nightclubs. He and Lee bought a Dairy Queen in Sikeston, Missouri, in 1967, sold it in 1968, and returned to the Chicago area. Stacy resumed working as a lithographer. He and Lee retired in 1977, to thirty acres outside of Yellville, Arkansas. They returned to Lebanon in 1987.
Stacy had a number of interests throughout his life, but none was greater than his love of music. He was an accomplished jazz pianist who passed his love of music onto his children. He was a handyman who could fix almost anything and a skillful carpenter who built cabinets and bookcases. Whenever his kids needed help or advice with “do-it-yourself” projects, he was their “go-to” guy.
Stacy is survived by one son, Joseph Trapani, and his wife, Darleen, of Lebanon, Missouri; three daughters, Phillis Fox, and her husband, Lewis Holt, of Buffalo, Missouri, Tabetha Aldrich, and her husband, William, of Springfield, Missouri, and Mildred Sarber, of Fair Grove, Missouri; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Stacy was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
What’s your fondest memory of Salvatore?
What’s a lesson you learned from Salvatore?
Share a story where Salvatore's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Salvatore you’ll never forget.
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