Steven P. Drapala

Steven P. Drapala of Port Jervis, N.Y., died on Dec. 15, 2016, in Middletown, N.Y., with his loving family by his side after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 68.
Son of the late Stanley and Odile Girouard Drapala on July 29, 1948, he was born in Port Jervis, N.Y.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Anna Giovanniello Drapala; son, Steven, and his wife, Ashley, of Port Jervis; daughters, Tina Machado and her husband, Dito, of Milford, Pa., and Suzanne Drapala and her fiancé, Andrew Haniuk, of Glen Spey, N.Y.; brothers, Michael Drapala, and his wife, Sandy, of Bradenton, Fla., and David Drapala and his wife, Bernetta, of Port Jervis; sister, Louise Limbacher and her husband, Carl, of Northport, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Mary Giovanniello of Port Jervis; grandchildren, Mia, Preston, Landon, Ryder, Paris and Peyton Machado, Skyler Haniuk, Audriana and McKenna Drapala; and several nieces and nephews.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army’s Charlie Company, 1/5, 1st Air Calvary Division, in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the Vietnam War. He and his combat brothers discovered and took the largest arms cache (on May 5, 1970, in Cambodia) ever discovered in the Vietnam War. He was awarded two Bronze Star medals. One was awarded for heroism and valor for his actions on March 8, 1970.
He retired from the Metro North Railroad, working out of Campbell Hall as maintenance foremen. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Port Jervis and an active member of the Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161 in Port Jervis.
He was well liked and respected within the community. He was often the life of the party, laughing and telling jokes and stories. His joys were hunting, fishing, golf, bowling, and riding around town in his Mustang. But most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren, who were the apple of his eye.
Visitation was held at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis on Dec. 18. Prayers were offered at the Funeral Home on Dec. 19, followed by a mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Matthew Newcomb was the celebrant. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Jervis with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, 47-51 Owen St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.