Papavero Funeral Home began over 70 years ago, in 1934, in the Greenpoint-Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, New York.  The business was started by Joseph Papavero (right), who was born and resided in Brooklyn.  There he lived with his wife, Autilia (right).  It was during these times that funerals were held in the homes of the families.  Before the funeral home era that we now know today in which a family goes to the funeral home, in those days, the funeral director went to the family.  Funeral Arrangements were often made at the family's kitchen or dining room table.  The wake service was often held in the living room where flowers would be set up and the priest would come to the home for a prayer service.  On the morning of the funeral, the funeral director and pallbearers carried the casket out of the home and into the hearse to proceed to the church and cemetery.  It was in these beginnings that the foundations of the generational continuity of Papavero Funeral Home were laid.

            As the traditions and aspects of the funeral business changed, so did Papavero Funeral Home.  In the 1940's, funeral services had begun to be held in funeral homes.  During this time, Joseph Papavero ran his funeral business out of Greenpoint Chapels, a funeral home utilized by many funeral directors in the area at the time.  It was here that the funeral directors of the local area shared the same chapels, offices and merchandise showrooms to handle the funerals of their own followings.  During this time, Joseph Papavero's son, Bartolomeo V. "Willy" Papavero (left) made his entrance into the family funeral business.  Bartolomeo Papavero was also born in Brooklyn.  He lived on Frost Street with his wife, Lucille (left), and four children, Autilia, Minna, and twins Joseph and Anthony.  Bartolomeo Papavero was also an active member and president of the Bushwick Lions Club, the Don Bosco Knights of Columbus and the Get-Together Boys.  For several years, Bartolomeo Papavero ran the funeral business in Brooklyn following his father Joseph's death in 1967. 

Papavero Funeral Home, Maspeth, 1961

           In 1964, Bart's son, Joseph M. Papavero (right), became a licensed funeral director.  In 1959, Papavero Funeral Home relocated to its current location in Maspeth, New York.  Joseph M. Papavero lived in Maspeth with his wife, Mary Ann (right), and three sons, Joseph, Kevin and Bart.  He was a very active figure in the Maspeth community.  He served as Vice President of the Maspeth Lions Club International from 1983-1984, President of the Maspeth Lions Club International from 1985-1986, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Maspeth Lions Club International from 1987-1988 and 1988-89 and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award of Achievement for Outstanding Service to the Community in 1996.  He was a member of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce, Maspeth Lions Club International, New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA), National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA), Catholic Cemetery Guild and also an avid New York Giants fan.  When his father, Bart, died suddenly on September 30, 1980, Joseph M. carried on the family business with his three sons, Joseph B., licensed in 1981; Kevin M., licensed in 1989; and Bart J., licensed in 1990.  Joseph M. Papavero died peacefully in his home on the night of January 15, 2001.

Joseph M. Papavero and three sons, 1990

            Today, his three sons, Joseph B. Papavero, Kevin M. Papavero and Bartholomew J. Papavero (below) represent the fourth generation of the Papavero name in funeral service.  All three attended SUNY Farmingdale College of Mortuary Science and attained an associates degree and New York State funeral directing and embalming licenses.  They all still reside in Maspeth and are active in the community.  Papavero Funeral Home maintains membership in the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA), the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA), and the Catholic Cemetery Guild.  Joseph B. Papavero is also a member of the Maspeth Town Hall Board of Directors and Our Lady of Hope Holy Name Society, Our Lady of Hope Athletic Association, Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET), and Maspeth Chamber of Commerce.  Kevin M. Papavero also maintains a New Jersey State Funeral Directors License.