Albert Rapp

Albert Christian Rapp, age 91, of Jefferson, NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 27, 2022, while receiving the loving care of his family.

Albert was born and raised in Clifton NJ and was one of four children to Christian and Mary Rapp. While growing up in Clifton, Albert attended Clifton High School but left school early to go to work with his father in the pluming industry.  Albert worked as a plumber for several years with his dad then switched careers and accepted a position driving big rig trucks for Petrizzo Trucking Company based in Garfield, NJ. After working for Petrizzo Trucking, Albert went on to work for Michelotti & Sons Gravel Pit located in Sparta, NJ. Then he took a position at Grinnell Hauling in Sparta as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Albert held this position until his retirement many years ago.

While living in Clifton, as a young man, Albert welcomed the birth of his only son Christian. Albert met and married Helen and moved to Pompton Lakes with Helen’s daughter Jo Ann and son James. In 1970, Albert and Helen moved the family to Greenwood Lake where they lived for many years. While there, Albert owned many boats and cherished boating and teaching his children and grandchildren how to water ski.

Albert and Helen eventually divorced, and Albert moved to Jefferson New Jersey where he lived with his companion, Pat Force, for many years.

Albert enjoyed spending time at the beach. He treasured swimming in the ocean and visiting one of his favorite places, Long Beach Island, at the Jersey shore.

To say that Albert was a handyman was a gross understatement.  His family remembers never having to call contractors or auto mechanics to fix or maintain their cars or anything at their homes. All they needed to do was to give him a call and say, “Come over for dinner and bring your tools.”  Of course, there were times that Albert did not have the required tool for the job. That would not deter him because he would fabricate his own tools.

Albert was a selfless person always putting other needs before his own. There was not anything he wouldn’t do for anyone in need.  He was a man who was always up front with people, so you always knew where you stood with him. He enjoyed watching football, old TV westerns and most of all treasured his nightly glass of Scotch, which he always attributed to his gift of longevity. Albert was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Albert is survived by his son Christian Rapp and his husband Michael of La Mesa, CA, two stepdaughters Grace Maat of Ringwood, NJ, and JoAnn and her husband Douglas of Hewitt, NJ, four grandchildren: Christine Greenbush and her husband Michael of Clark, NJ, Jennifer McRae and her husband Phil of Indiana, Jodie Chorbajian and her husband Joseph of Wayne, NJ, and Jaime Aurilia and her husband Joseph of West Milford, NJ, and fourteen great grandchildren.  Albert was predeceased by his two sisters Jane Dericks, and Mary Gomes, one brother Thomas Rapp, one stepson James Buono, two grandchildren Jerilyn Acker, and Joan Ellen Maat and his longtime companion, Pat Force.

Donations in Albert’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, www.heart.org or American Diabetes Foundation, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, www.diabetes.org