DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 1997            TAG: 9711110293

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   61 lines

LARGE CROWD MOURNS CITY ATTORNEY PHILIP TRAPANI'S FUNERAL PACKED SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Young, old, powerful and ordinary citizens filled Sacred Heart Catholic Church to overflowing Monday morning for the funeral of longtime public servant Philip R. Trapani.

Cars were bumper-to-bumper along Ghent streets, and vehicles covered Stockley Gardens green near the church as voices inside rose and fell in praise and hallelujahsfor a man who dedicated his life to his community and family.

Trapani, Norfolk's city attorney for 22 years and one of City Hall's most powerful leaders, died Friday after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was 63.

Sunlight poured into the church after a long weekend of rain, turning dozens of candles into mere points of flickering light, as the Rev. John J. Dorgan delivered a homily that urged joyful celebration for Trapani's life and work.

``His life was brought to fullness last Friday,'' said Dorgan, whose church Trapani and his family had attended for decades. ``He has taken his concern and love for friends and family before the throne of God. We return thanks to God for his talents and gifts.''

White-gloved Norfolk police officers lined the rear of the church. Some brushed away tears. One female officer sobbed silently.

In a voice fraught with emotion, Dorgan attempted to summarize Trapani's many accomplishments during a career that spanned decades:

``He served the city so well and his family and friends . . . He fought the good fight, finished the race.''

Trapani's tenure as city attorney began in 1975 and lasted through the terms of three city managers and six mayors. He had previously served as assistant city attorney for a decade.

City Council members turned to the seasoned Trapani for understanding of the legal implications in their dealings with citizens and other cities. Even those who had adversarial relations with Trapani before their election to the council came to respect and admire him for his understanding of the issues and his ability to turn foe to friend for the sake of the city he loved.

On Monday, a solemn congregation filed past Trapani's white-draped coffin to celebrate Holy Communion as a shrill train whistle sounded a requiem for the Mass of Christian Burial.

Then the congregation raised its collective voice to the strains of ``Amazing Grace.''

Four police officers adjusted their caps, marched down the church aisle and bore away the city's ceremonial mace ahead of the casket.

David Cochran, social minister for Sacred Heart, watched mourners leave the church, then said that the qualities of the man that stood out for him were his dedication to his family and his faith.

``He lived out his faith,'' said Cochran. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos

BETH BERGMAN NAKAMURA/The Virginian-Pilot

Pallbearers bring Norfolk leader Philip Trapani's casket out of the

church and place it in a hearse to be taken to Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Philip R. Trapani, city attorney for Norfolk for 22 years, died

Friday after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was 63.

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