Of Belmont, passed away peacefully Sunday morning November 9th, 2014 in Emerson Village Nursing Home in Watertown at the age of 91.

Born on February 13, 1923 in Waltham; son of the late Augustine and Maria (Crescenzo) Papia, Stephen was raised and educated in Waltham, moving to Cambridge after his marriage and has been a resident of Belmont since 1952.

A graduate of Waltham High School, Stephen entered the United States Army in February of 1943 and proudly served with Company A 775th Tank Battalion in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines during World War II. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon.

After service to his country Stephen was honorably discharged from the United States Army in January of 1946. Throughout his life he worked in the textile industry as a Patten Maker with Freeman Parlor Custom Furniture in Somerville. He retired as an Inspector from the Hewlett Packard Corporation in Waltham.

He enjoyed retirement with his beloved wife spending time at their home in Onset during the summers and wintering in West Palm Beach, Florida for 15 years. He loved traveling, bowling, playing cards, doing household projects, working in his yard but most of all going dancing.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1272 in Belmont, the Sons of Italy Piave Fiume Lodge #1036 in Watertown and the Waltham Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1018.

Stephen was a faithful parishioner of Saint Luke’s Church in Belmont serving as an Usher for many years.

When his wife turned ill Stephen devoted his life to her care and spent every day with her until she passed away in May of 2011.

Beloved husband for 65 years to the late Carmella (Sabato) Papia.

He is survived by his loving and devoted sons Richard J. Papia and his wife Diane of Ludlow and Michael J. Papia and his wife Janice of Belmont, his daughter-in-law Linda Papia of Randolph, his cherished grandchildren Danielle Virgilo, Matthew Papia and Nicole Dzicek, his adored great grandchildren Sophia , Maxwell, Ryan, Olivia and Giovanni, his dear siblings Paul Giunta and his wife Pam of Marlborough, Mary Mingace of Belmont and his sister-in-law Josephine Papia of Waltham. In addition he is survived by many nieces & nephews.

Father of the late Stephen J. Papia and brother of the late Biaggio Papia.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home, 325 Trapelo Road, BELMONT on Thursday morning Nov. 13th at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Stephen’s Life at Saint Luke’s Church, 132 Lexington St., Belmont at 10:30 a.m. Interment with United States Army Military Honors will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held in the Funeral Home on Wednesday Nov. 12th from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.