Friday, January 22, 2021
Frank “Ray” Rappel passed away peacefully at home in Huntington Bay, NY on May 23, 2020. Born in Brooklyn on November 17, 1934, Ray was a street kid at heart and often referred to himself and his childhood friends as the “Bay Ridge Boys”! His fond memories of Brooklyn included playing stickball until long after sunset, attending Fort Hamilton High School, and serving as an altar boy at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Ray became the first in his family to attend college and Bucknell University quickly became his second home. He was a finance major, varsity basketball player and proud fraternity brother of Lambda Chi Alpha. Ray’s pride for the Orange and Blue was shared with lifelong friends Roy, George and John. Ray loved to reminisce of his college days in Lewisburg and we never saw him laugh harder than when he was with his “Bucknell Crew”.
Ray was a distinguished ROTC student and continued to serve his country after graduation. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, after more than 30 years of distinguished service. After graduating from Bucknell, Ray started a banking career in New York City at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, as a corporate lending office and became a Branch Manager in 1976. He left Manufacturers Hanover to start and manage the New York City middle markets lending office for Lincoln First Bank. Ray finished his career with Chase Manhattan Bank and was proud to have helped so many of his long-time customers build successful businesses. During his career, Ray also developed a passion for teaching. He taught training classes in the Army Reserve on weekends, evening classes at Adelphi University, and was one of the first instructors to teach business classes on the Long Island Railroad during the hour commute from his home in Cold Spring Harbor.
While living in New York, Ray met the love of his life, Susan Amy Ellsworth, an artist and teacher. They married and raised their three children, Karen, Erik and Kurt in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. When not working in the yard, playing tennis or skiing, Ray loved watching his children and his grandchildren play sports. Ray loved spending time with his five grandchildren and those who knew him would agree that his family, friends, and faith meant everything. He had extraordinary enthusiasm for what others were interested in and all that they accomplished.
Ray was a man of honor, commitment and integrity. He came from a generation that valued hard work, family and service to others. As we look back at our father's life, we see a person who enjoyed learning, was bit old school and "Brooklyn Strong". He lived with a sense of passion and honesty that will be remembered forever.
Love,
Karen, Erik and Kurt
