Brock Mario Papetsas of Provincetown died at home on Aug. 17, 2022. A sixth-generation Provincetown native — his mother’s family owned Fisherman’s Wharf and his father owned the Naviator in Wellfleet — Brock was 70.
He was born on April 17, 1952, the son of the late Jack Papetsas and Patricia (Cabral) Papetsas, and grew up at 70 Commercial St. with his mother and younger brother, Thadd.
Because he was raised in a single-parent household, Brock took responsibility for many things at a young age. While Thadd studied upstairs, Brock, an avid weightlifter, spent hours downstairs training before fitness became fashionable.
He was elected president of his class each of his four years at Provincetown High School. To say he was popular with teachers and peers is an understatement. He graduated in 1970.
His popularity was reinforced by his high school athletic exploits — he was an all-star in football, basketball, and track. Brock was especially proud that in 1969 he led the Provincetown High football team to a Mayflower League championship, beating archrival Nantucket twice that year. That season marked the best record in the history of Provincetown football.
That same year, Brock was chosen as a Cape and Islands football all-star by famed coaches Steve Goveia of Provincetown and Barnstable and Vito Capizzo of Nantucket.
Also in 1969, he was chosen by legendary Nauset High coach Leo Miller to be an ambassador with the Cape Cod All Star Basketball Team on a European tour, which took place in the summer between his junior and senior years. As a basketball ambassador, Brock played in Russia and throughout Europe to promote the game.
Coach Glenn Rose of Harwich considered Brock to be one of Cape Cod’s basketball greats. In 1967 at Bill Russell and Red Auerbach’s basketball camp in Marshfield, Brock was voted the best center, even though he was only six-foot-one. Brock was a true hometown hero, who, rather than being full of himself, always spoke warmly of former teammates and classmates, Thadd said.
Brock attended Tampa University with the intention of continuing his football career but opted for fun instead. He left school and eventually returned to Provincetown to work with his brothers FJ and Crayne Hurst as a licensed plumber for Frank Hurst Plumbing.
Later, he plumbed many homes for Papetsas Building Co. and helped Thadd with construction as well. He was an excellent tradesman who took pride in his work and passed on his skills by helping to train his nephew Dimitri and instilling in him the value of a good work ethic.
Brock spent many years in California, where he was a gig worker in plumbing and general carpentry in San Diego. In 2007, he returned home to care for his mother in her final years.
Everyone loved Brock, and he shared his kindness and charm with everyone he met. He always had a joke to tell and loved playing the lottery, Thadd said.
Brock was generous with friends and acquaintances, always with a compliment or a “darling” to share. He danced and sang, played guitar beautifully, and enjoyed a good party, but he also studied the Bible and was always the one to say the prayer before holiday meals. He would quiz his niece Julianne on her knowledge of Scripture, and he appreciated her artwork and writings and displayed them proudly.
Brock had an unbreakable bond with his brother Thadd — they looked to each other their entire lives. He was particularly close with the Hurst brothers and Halcyone Hurst Tasha, because their families grew up together, and with his uncle, Robert Cabral, and the rest of the Cabral family.
He is survived by his brother Thadd, sister-in-law Julie of Provincetown, niece Julianne of Boston, and nephew Dimitri and his wife Nathaly of Provincetown. Brock is also survived by his sister Halcyone H. Tasha of Hyannis and brother Crayne Hurst of Truro. He had a special place in his heart for his sister Melanie of Plymouth and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Brock was predeceased by his brother FJ Hurst.
Burial at St Peter’s Catholic Cemetery will be private. A memorial Mass is being planned for the near future.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brock’s name to any organization that helps in the prevention of alcohol or drug addiction.
