Carl (A.) Rapoport

Carl A. Rapoport, 91, of West Hartford, died peacefully at home on April 20, with his family by his side. He was born January 2, 1917, and graduated from New York University in 1937. After serving honorably in the Navy, escorting Franklin Roosevelt to Yalta aboard the USS Carmick, he entered the glass business, and in 1962 founded Merchants Glass Distributors in Lynbrook. After 30 successful years, he retired to his art, creating 300 found-object sculptures exhibited in galleries and shows throughout the New York area. His wife of 57 years, Florence, taught high school English for 26 years in Great Neck, where they lived. They loved each other, traveled extensively, and enjoyed a full life of friends and family. She predeceased him in 2002. Carl is survived by two brothers: Morris, of Scarsdale and his wife Blanche, and Bernard of New York. Also, two sons: Mark, of Hanoi, Vietnam, creator of 54 Traditions, a gallery of tribal art, and former Health Commissioner of Westchester County, and his wife, Jane Hughes; and Miles, of West Hartford, CT, President of the public policy center Demos and former Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and his wife, Sam Luciano. Carl was beloved by four grandchildren; Robert Rapoport, Alison Rapoport, Jeff Luciano, and Ross Rapoport. Funeral services will take place at Weinstein Mortuary in Hartford on April 23, at 1:00. On April 24, a graveside service will be held at United Hebrew Cemetery on Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island at 1:00, followed by a gathering of friends and family at La Strada Restaurant, 139 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island.