Harold A. D'Arpini

Harold A. D'Arpini
May 24, 1931-January 9, 2020

Harold Angelo D’Arpini, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9, at Toledo Hospital with his son and daughter at his side.  He was a lifelong resident of Monroe until he and his wife, Barbara, retired to Haines City, Florida, in 1995, spending almost 24 years there until their return to Monroe in 2018. 

Harold was born in Monroe, Michigan, on May 24, 1931, to Saturno and Clara (Rodey) D’Arpini.  He worked for only one company during his lifetime, the former Union Camp, for 45 years.  He married the woman who would remain the love of his life until the end, Barbara Alice Steffy, on February 11, 1956.

Harold was an extremely retiring person who liked collecting model cars, knives, and other items.  He had a chest-high rack of collectible baseballs and a huge glass display cabinet filled with Old West-themed collectibles.  While living in Florida, he owned a 1964 Ford Falcon that he cherished, and he and Barbara were members of the Falcon Club.  They also enjoyed Disney World together, being annual passholders for several years.  Harold played in the bocce league at Plantation Landings and had his own lawn service for about 15 years, mowing and caring for the lawns of his neighbors there.  Although he always remained a faithful Michigan and Tigers fan, while there he became a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.  For almost ten years, Harold was rarely without his constant companion, their Miniature Pinscher Jethro, who always brought him comfort and joy until Jethro’s sad passing in 2019.

Harold is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Barbara, and their two children, Harold (Hal) D’Arpini, Jr. (Brigitte) and Deborah Falkenberg (Dean).  He has three grandchildren, Andrea D’Arpini (Lorri), Rachel Lunning (Erik), and Brooke Hall (Trevor), four great-grandchildren, Edward Hall, Oliver Lunning, Kennedy Hall, and Maggie Hall, as well as nine nieces and five nephews

Harold is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sisters, Dahlia D’Arpini, Eva Denno (Leo), Robert D’Arpini (Lavanna) and John “Junior” D’Arpini (Deanna). 

Visitation will be at Rupp Funeral Home, Monroe, on Friday, January 15, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a memorial service there on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.  A short prayer and the interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, Lasalle, Michigan.