Emilio Mike Groppuso

Emilio 'Mike' Groppuso of Riverview, Port Ewen died Saturday, January 14, 2006 at Kingston Hospital. He was 80. He was born in Mount Vernon on September 19, 1925, a son of the late James and Gesumia Spallone Groppuso. A US Army veteran of WW II, he served in the European Theater of Operations. A Medic in the 75th Infantry Division who participated in the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded a Bronze Star. Mr. Groppuso was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joyce-Schirick Post 1386 and a life member of the 75th Division of the Veterans Association. He married Patricia O'Donnell on November 24, 1946. Mr. Groppuso owned and operated the Coat Barn on Railroad Ave., Kingston from 1962 until retirement in 1996. Mr. Groppuso lived in this area most of his life. A parishioner of St. Joseph's Church, he belonged to Wiltwyck Golf Club and Twalfskill Country Club. One brother Joseph Groppuso and one sister Sally O'Brien both died previously. Surviving in addition to his wife of 59 years, are two sons Michael S. Groppuso of Boiceville and Jeffrey A. Groppuso and his wife Barbara of Egg Harbor City, NJ; one brother Fred Groppuso of San Jose, CA; six grandchildren Michael S. Groppuso Jr., Tricia McCloskey, Jennifer Wilber, Jamie Groppuso, Samantha Groppuso and Abigail Groppuso; four great grandchildren Donte Emilio and Gavin Michael Groppuso, Kevin John and Julia Catherine McCloskey; many nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Monday 2-4 and 6-8 PM. The funeral will be Tuesday at 9:15 AM from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church at 10:00 AM. Commital services, with military honors by the Joyce - Schirick Post 1386, VFW Honor Guard, will be at the Wiltwyck Cemetery Community Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingston Hospital Foundation (for The Dialysis Center), 396 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401 or St. Joseph's School, 235 Wall St., Kingston, NY 12401.