“Clinton D. Rapalee, 73, retired Ithaca Water Department electrician, died today, May 6, 1953, at Conklin Sanitarium, after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nora B. Rapalee of Lodi; 2 daughters, Mrs. Kathleen Ovesia of New York City and Mrs. Evelyn Hagin of Syracuse; a son, Kermit Rapalee of Ithaca; 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Born in Dundee in 1879, he came to this vicinity in 1918 to operate a power plant serving the area north and west of Ithaca near Taughannock. In 1918 he came to Ithaca to work for the Ithaca Water Department, retiring in June, 1949, after 31 years of service.
Since that time he and his wife have been making their home at Lodi Point on Seneca Lake.
He was a member of Cascadilla Lodge 89, Knights of Pythias, and Grange.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Burial will be in Dundee.”
“C. D. Rapalee, Retired City Worker, Dies,” Ithaca Journal, May 6, 1953, 3.