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A. DAVID RAPAPORT - A. DAVID RAPAPORT - BANGOR - A. David Rapaport, best known as "Smilin' Dave," died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008. David was born Jan. 13, 1922, in Bangor, the son of Louis and Rose (Harris) Rapaport and for 76 years had lived within two blocks of his birthplace. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1940 and Maine Maritime Academy in 1943. David went to sea as a deck officer in the Maritime Service and later became a member of the Naval Reserve. He sailed on several ships and received a medal from the Russian Government for his part as navigator in transporting munitions and military material to Murmansk during World War II. Upon returning home, he became president and general manager of New Central Furniture Co., which grew to be a statewide furniture chain. In 1952, he met and married Mildreth Finn of Winthrop, Mass. In 1967, David retired from the furniture field and entered a new phase of his business career - real estate sales, appraising and development. He graduated from the Real Estate Institute and Real Estate Syndication Institute and received certified commercial investment training. David became an award winning developer and consultant on 14 major housing development projects including work for Maine State Housing Authority and Farmer's Home Administration. David was president of Rapaport Real Estate, Rapaport Financials, treasurer of Rapaport and Van Peurson Auctioneers, and general partner in several development projects. When asked how he could participate in so many diverse ventures he would always answer "I'm just staying alert to change." Perhaps his most rewarding undertaking was Maine Commercial Tire, which he helped establish and continued to play a guiding role. David was a former president of Bangor Merchant's Bureau, former president of Sales Executive Club, former board member of YMCA, past chief office status at Maritime Service, member of the Naval Reserve, most recently a board member of Beth Israel Synagogue and a member of National Guild of Hypnotists. He was predeceased by his cherished wife, Mildreth (Finn) Rapaport, in 1996. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Patti Rapaport of Bangor; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jayne and William Gandler of Rockville, Md., and Susan and Henry Sacks of Brookline, Mass.; two grandsons, Sam and Ben Rapaport of Bangor. Funeral services will be held noon Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Jewish Chapel, 118 Center St., Bangor, with Rabbi Steven Schwartzman officiating. Interment will be at Beth Israel Cemetery, Bangor. Shiva will be observed immediately after the interment until 9 p.m. Wednesday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday at 102 Maple St., Bangor. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Congregation Beth Israel, 144 York St., Bangor, ME 04401 or New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, Holden, ME 04429. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor
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