Richard Paul Alpi

Richard (Rick) Paul Alpi, 77, passed away on Friday April 28, 2023.

Rick was born in Sidney, NY on May 13, 1945.  He attended Johnson City High School in NY before joining the U.S. Army in 1963. He later found the love of his life Rosie while being stationed in Dexheim, Germany and they married in 1982.  SFC Richard Alpi served proudly in the U.S. Army for over 24 years.  Following Basic Training at Ft. Dix he was assigned to a Hercules Missile battery of the 32nd Army Air Defense Command in Austin, Texas. He spent the first 18-years of his career in his Hercules Missile specialty; then, shifted to Patriot Missile Systems for his final 6 years prior to his retirement at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas in 1989.  During his nearly 25-years of service he completed 4-tours of duty in Germany, 1-tour in South Korea, and several at Fort Bliss.

Rick and Rosie enjoyed 40 years of life together. They danced since the day they met. Up until recently he enjoyed going to Texas Stagecoach and Three Pint’s Pub to listen to the music and mingle with friends even when he could no longer tear up the dance floor.  Rick was a very talented wood worker.  Together Rick and Rosie designed and sold wood items at various craft shows as R&R Crafts.  Rick absolutely loved to cruise and travel the world and together they have completed over 40 cruises. They completed their third World Cruise just prior to his passing.

Rick always had a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humour and sarcasm that kept everyone around him smiling and on their toes. He loved to hum and sing along to any music that was in his ear shot. He loved life and lived it unapologetically.  He wanted to enjoy every day that he had and that he did. Rick greatly enjoyed being part of the cruise ship choir whenever they traveled and one of the final songs they sang on his last cruise was titled, I Am a Shining Star. His recent choir director said it best when he said that when we look up into the sky at night, we are bound to see a start that is slightly brighter than the rest.  That will be Rick’s shining star and he will be looking down at us with a big smile that we all will never forget.

Rick was preceded in death by his Mother, Doris Bunner.  He leaves behind his loving wife Rosie, Daughters; Kimberly, Michelle, Patricia, Ilona and son Joachim. Sister; Sandra Conover. Niece and Nephew; Julie and Jeffrey. He will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Homes- Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Committal Service will take place at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.  Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.  Please visit his online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.