Barney Lapp

Barney Lapp of West Hartford passed Saturday March 21, 2015 at his home with family by his side. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years Mildred, three sons, David, Jonathan, Daniel, his daughter in law Denise, and grandson Nathaniel. Very dear to him were his niece Andrea Tardiff, her husband Rick, and their two sons Scott and Jeff of Tolland. He also leaves behind his brother Arthur and wife Rita Lapp of West Hartford. Barney had been an early member of Teferes Israel Synagogue and later the Emanuel Synagogue. At Teferes for many years he chanted Maftir Yonah every Yom Kippur, a gift from his mother Ida. Earlier at Emanual, He was a tenor in the choir under cantor Koret. Barney was an avid tennis player, expert square dancer, enjoyed trips to Aruba with his brother Arthur and sister in law Rita, weekly seven card stud games at the casino, the Red Sox, The Patriots, and Ocean Beach. But most of all he cherished his wife Mildred whom he met by chance at Maxwell Drug Store while stopping in for a soda at the fountain. Barney was a disabled WWII veteran who served bravely in some of the most notable battles of the war as a combat engineer. He was interviewed after the war about his experience of being thrown into the Rhine River when it collapsed as they were trying to repair the bridge to keep men and material flowing into Germany. He also participated in the building of the largest Bailey bridge ever constructed, The Ernie Pile Bridge that was built across the Rhine under fire. Upon returning from the action in Europe he was determined to never hurt another human being and returned to his studies at Trinity College. After Graduating first in his class, he attended Yale Law School. Though he didn’t start his career practicing law, he joined the Attorney General’s office in 1969. He rapidly advanced through the ranks eventually being appointed head of the Special Litigation Unit where he was respected by his peers and state officials alike. His guidance and advice were sought by many and his wit enjoyed by all. Barney will be dearly missed. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi David J. Small officiating. Interment will follow in Teferes Israel Synagogue Cemetery, Meriline Ave., West Hartford. The family will return to the Emanual Synagogue immediately following the burial. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Barney, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cffm. In memory of Barney Lapp please send donations to the Emanuel Synagogue Rabbi Discretionary Fund.