We are saddened to announce the loss of our beloved Daniel "Danny" Rupert Mapa of Meadow Vista, Calif., who passed away suddenly March 17, 2013 in Grass Valley, CA.
Danny was born June 3, 1953 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Al and Doris "Dodo" Mapa, who preceded him in death. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his beautiful daughters Ruby Isabella and Lily Nancy Mapa of Colfax, Calif., whom he loved above all else, step-daughter Hannah Greene of Grass Valley, Calif. and step-son Michael O'Conner of Auburn, CA; big brother Charley Mapa (Gwen) of Hilo, Hawaii; big sister Mitzi Isola (Dennis) of San Ramon, Calif.; baby sisters Mary Walker (Dave) of Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Dorsey Dubbs (Robert) of Chula Vista, Calif., nephews Charles Mapa Jr. and Ben Dubbs, nieces Brenna Saldana, Laurie Isola-Anderson, Lindsay Isola, Genevieve Isola, Danielle Kievit, Hayley Walker, Elizabeth Walker and Ali Dubbs (all of whom still want candy, Uncle Danny!); dearest cousin and lifelong best friend Richard Valmoja, along with uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Danny attended Santa Clara High School where he excelled on the wrestling team. After graduating in 1971, he then attended the Brooks Institute of Photography and began his career as a photographer working for his uncle, Paul Bacosa at the Paul Bacosa Studios in both Santa Clara and Oxnard, Calif.. He had a creative and sensitive eye that showed in the scenic photos he took. For the past 18 years, he worked for the Auburn Post Office, where he took great pride in his work. He once received a commendation for saving a man's life while out on his postal route. Danny loved history, especially military history; he was a founding member of the Commandos four-wheel drive club, and sang in an all-boy band called "The Mabuhay Brothers". He was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, and also loved the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and San Francisco Forty-Niners. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Colfax, CA at 11 a.m.
"O Danny Boy, We love you so…"