FULTON, NY – Dante A. Raponi, 95, of Martville, formerly of Fulton and Panama City, Fla., passed away on Monday, April 2, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse.
He had owned and operated Oswego Valley Constructors in Oswego for many years and was a promoter for Oswego Speedway and Fulton Raceway.
Dante was the president of Summa-Magna 1 Corporation and invented and patented Estacron, a composition construction material for structural units.
He served with the U.S. Army Rangers and the USA-Canada First Special Service Forces in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II.
Dante was awarded the Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart Medal with two oak leaf clusters for wounds in combat, the Combat Infantry Badge among others.
He was a member of the U.S. Army Ranger Association; USA-Canada Special Forces Association; Disabled American Veterans; Society of American Inventors; Southern Building Codes Congress International; Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and others.
Surviving are his children, Lindy Lee Mesh-Raponi of Rochester, Amedeo Raponi of Oregon and Roxanne Raponi of California; two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Dante was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Joy Raponi; and by three brothers and two sisters.
There are no calling hours or services.
Foster Funeral Home, Hannibal has care of the arrangements.
Foster Funeral Home, Inc.
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he also built the building that is now the moose club on hwy 57 and kingdom rd remember it like yesterday
A man of many talents who knew how to live life to the fullest. Never a dull moment.
Yes, the building that is now the Moose Club was once a supper club designed by Dante. It featured a beautiful oval bar with a waterfall, elegantly dressed waiters and a menu created personally by Dante. Through his connections with the William Morris talent agency Dante was able to bring celebrities to appear at the club. Among them were Connie Francis, Duane Eddy and Nat King Cole.
It should also be noted that not only did he promote the race track now known as “Fulton Raceway” he designed the track, supervised it’s construction and was general manager. Dante came up with the track’s original name the “Milray Speedway”, combining the names of the track’s owners, Millard and Raymond Benway.
Dante’s military service included not only the European Theater but the campaign in North Africa where he first served. Later he served in Italy at the battle of Anzio and then on to Rome. There he was attached to an intelligence unit sent to Sicily.