August J. Stapf

August J. Stapf, age 81 of Melbourne, Florida passed away in Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Florida on Thursday January 1, 2009 at 3:03 AM. He was born in Hamilton on October 29, 1927, the son of Almer and Antoinette (Grote) Stapf. August was a veteran of World War II with the United States Army from 1946-1947, a 1952 graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering, and was employed as a nuclear core engineer for Knowles Atomic Power Laboratory in New York for 35 years, retiring in 1990. On September 11, 1954 in Hamilton he was married to Mary Noel Curtis and she preceded him in death in 1998, on February 27, 1999 in St. Thomas he was married to Mary Frances Ribar. Mr. Stapf was a devoted husband, loving father, known for his sense of humor, wisdom, and strong character. He was a leader in boy scouts, active in little league, and taught religious instructions at Immaculate Conception Church all in New York. His gift of storytelling and imagination entertained his family and friends throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife Mary Frances Stapf, of Melbourne, Florida who enjoyed 10 years of love and travel together; two sons August (Mary) Stapf of Augusta, Georgia, Kevin (Kimberly) Stapf of Port St. Lucie, Florida; four daughters Valerie (Paul) Stanley of Clifton Park, New York, Barbara Stapf of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Tama Stapf of Melbourne, Florida, and Paula Stapf of North Augusta, South Carolina; one brother Almer (Cora Sue) Stapf of Hamilton, and twelve grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Mary Beth Stapf in 1957 and one sister Barbara Stapf.

Prayers will be held at the Brown Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Ave. on Tuesday January 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11AM with Father Stephen Mondiek celebrant. Burial will be in St. Stephens Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9AM to 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Josephs Catholic Church. A memorial service will be held in Melbourne, Florida by his extended family at a later date.