Obituary of Russell C. D'Arpa

Russell Charles D’Arpa, age 103, passed away peacefully on June 10 in Denville Township, New Jersey, surrounded by loved ones, just weeks shy of his 104th birthday.

Russell was born in the summer of 1922 in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, to Salvatore and Concetta D’Arpa. The youngest of six children, he came to the United States as a five-year-old in 1928, just in time for the Great Depression. He graduated from East Orange High School in 1941, at the onset of World War II.

Before his military service, Russ trained as a jeweler, working as an apprentice and salesperson for Bamberger’s department store (which later became Macy’s). He was inducted into the military in 1942 and served with the 293rd Joint Assault Signal Company, landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Stationed in Normandy, France, he worked as a Message Center Chief and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was later shipped to the Pacific Theatre, serving in New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines.

Following the war, he married the girl around the corner, Rose La Ferrara, on April 13, 1947. Together for over 37 years, they raised five children—Margaret, Russell, Peter, Lisa, and Michele. Their first child, Constance, sadly passed away after birth. Russ was devoted to his family.

Russ spent his post-war civilian career working for Bendix in Teterboro, NJ, where he remained for 45 years. Holding a secret clearance, he worked on assembling instruments for missiles, fighter planes, and the Apollo program.

He is survived by his 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to K9s For Warriors would be appreciated.

A funeral service for Russell will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Norman Dean Home for Services, with a graveside service to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. All are welcome to come and celebrate the life of this incredible man!