Bombers owner Papista dies at 79

DETROIT — Manuel Papista, who with his son, Costa Papista, owned the Dayton Bombers hockey franchise, died Saturday, Jan. 23, in Detroit. Papista, a prominent attorney, was 79. His funeral is today in Grosse Pointe, Mich.

The Bombers operated as an ECHL franchise from 1991-2009. Costa Papista and Don MacAdam bought the Bombers in 2004. Four years later, MacAdam sold controlling interest of the franchise to Costa Papista and his father.

Mr. Papista played football and baseball at the University of Michigan and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was active in Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and in 2008 he received the Hellenic Heritage Award, which honored his longtime service to the Greek community.