Gene Anthony Rapone "Rocky"

November 25, 1939 - September 6, 2020

Gene Anthony Rapone "Rocky", 80, of Fairmount section of Philadelphia, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Loretta Rapone (nee Imperatore), son Geno Rapone (Tanya) and daughter Nicole McGrath (Tim). Gene is also survived by his grandchildren Madison, Michael, Tim and Matthew, his brother Joseph Rapone, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Edna Rapone (nee Cattani). Gene attended St. Francis Xavier School and was a 1957 graduate of Bishop Neumann High School. He proudly served his country as a medic with the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division. He returned to Philadelphia upon completion of his service and joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1965. While working full time as a policeman, he earned an Associate's Degree from Temple University, a Bachelor of Science degree from the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Sciences, and an MBA from Drexel University in 1972. He was a 1989 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Gene had many assignments with the Philadelphia Police Department and rose to the rank of Captain. He served on several law enforcement boards and was Vice-President of Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5. The culmination of his 38-year career was as Commander of the 8th District in Northeast Philadelphia. He found a post-retirement career as a fraud investigator with the Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General and retired again in 2017. He is fondly remembered by his friends and co-workers as a "cop's cop." The only thing he loved more than being a policeman was being a husband, father, and grandfather to his beloved family. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020, in St. Francis Xavier Church the Oratory, 2319 Green St., Phila., PA. Friends may call at the Dinan Funeral Home, 1921-23 Spring Garden St., Phila. on Thursday evening September 10 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and also on Friday morning September 11 from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made in Rocky's memory to "St. Francis Xavier School," 641 N. 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Condolences may also be sent to www.dinanfuneralhome.com