Rev. Joseph D. Murrin
Ordained Dec. 21, 1944, built churches overseas
Rev. Joseph D. Murrin S.S.C., 86, of St. Columban's, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. He was the son of the late Joseph and Vivian (Andes) Murrin. Born in Parnell, Iowa, on March 16, 1916, Father Murrin entered St. Columban's Seminary in Silver Creek, N.Y., in 1932 and was ordained into the priesthood on Dec. 21, 1944, at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha, Neb. Father Murrin's varied and active career brought him to California, where he worked in establishing Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westminster, Orange County. In the 1950s and 1960s he supervised the construction of seminaries in the United States, Australia and Korea, where he was also engaged in church construction. In later life, he was involved in programs designed for a better understanding of mission work and the church's outreach to people in developing countries. To the end he was tireless in helping others. He was a much sought-after counselor all through his life. Father Murrin was an enthusiastic gardener. He leaves a sister, Margaret Ann Christiano of Jupiter, Fla., and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Columban's Chapel on Friday, Dec. 27, 2002. Burial followed in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Diane Melanson
Longtime resident worked for Blue Cross-Blue Shield
Diane (Fontaine) Melanson, 48, of State Road, formerly of Sanford Road, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at home. She was the wife of Gregory S. Melanson. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of Joseph and Cecile (Bernier) Fontaine of Westport. She had lived in Westport for most of her life. Mrs. Melanson was employed by Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Rhode Island for 19 years. Besides her husband of 27 years and parents, she leaves a sister, Denise Goulart of Taunton; and nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Donald Fontaine and granddaughter of the late Wilfred and Malvina Bernier and Ernest and Lillian Fontaine. Arrangements are by the Auclair Funeral Home in Fall River.

Florence Vieira
Funeral services for Florence (Mass) Vieira were held on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, with a Mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Rev. Henry P. Zinno Jr. was the celebrant and homilist for the Mass. The reader for the Mass was Mrs. Vieira's niece, LuAnn Pezzullo. Offertory gifts were presented by Mrs. Vieira's sister, Pamela Alves and sister-in-law, Shirley Massa. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery where Father Zinno read the committal prayers. Pallbearers were Joseph and Jonathan Vincent, Edward S. Pezzullo and Gene Massa. Members of the Rosary and Altar Society and the Nocturnal Adoration Society of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church served as an honor guard. Mrs. Vieira, 87, the wife of the late John "Franklin" Vieira of 30 Ansonia Ave., died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at her home following a long illness. Memorial contributions may be made to Home and Hospice Care of RI, P.O. Box H, Providence, RI, 02901-9979.

Lavina Josephine Costa
Funeral services for Lavina Josephine (Phillips) Costa were held on Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Elizabeth's Church. The Rev. Joseph D. Santos was the celebrant and homilist for the Mass. Seminarian Jeremy Rodrigues was the reader and assisted the Mass. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery, where Father Santos read the committal prayers. Pallbearers were Mrs. Costa's four grandsons, Nino Caroselli and Nicholas P., Christopher J. and Todd M. DelSanto. Mrs. Costa, 90, the wife of the late Arthur F. Costa of 1324 Hope St., died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at the Grace Barker Funeral Home in Warren.

Mary Costa
Seamstress, leaves son in Warren
Mary Costa, 86, of 21 Second St., Somerset, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at Crestwood Nursing Home, Warren. She was the wife of the late John Costa. Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of the late Antone and Mary (Arruda) Arruda. She lived in Somerset all of her life. Mrs. Costa was a seamstress in the garment industry before retiring, and was a member of the International Laborers Garment Workers Union. She was a parishioner of St. John of God Church. She leaves a son, John Costa Jr. of Warren; a brother, Michael Arruda, and a sister, Irene Arruda, both of Somerset; four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. She was the mother of the late Barbara Silva and Matilda Costa. Her funeral was on Saturday, March 1, from the Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, Fall River, with a funeral Mass in St. John of God Church. She was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.

Richard H. Brown
Coast Guard veteran
Richard H. Brown, 64, of 129 DeWolf Ave., died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth M. (Francis) Brown and the late Geraldine M. (Cabral) Brown. Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, he was the son of the late John and Mary (Ciampaglia) Brown. He worked as a toolmaker for Magnetic Seal Corporation in Warren for five years and also at Hayes Treatment Company in Cranston for six years. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Mr. Brown was a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Church and a member of the Cup Defenders Association. In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Richard A. and Robert J. Brown of Bristol; a daughter, Deborah M. Messore of Deltona, Fla.; two stepsons, Dean P. Ventre of Bristol and John Ventre of Warwick; two brothers, John Brown of Bristol and Albert Brown of Florida; six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held from the Sansone Funeral Home on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a Mass of Christian burial at 9 a.m. in St. Elizabeth's Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Mary Morris
Longtime resident, homemaker
Mary Morris, 76, of Wood Street died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center. Born in Lumpolk, Calif., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Cabral) Goulart. She was a homemaker and lived in Bristol for many years. She leaves four daughters, Sharon Madeiro, Deborah DeCosta and Rebecca Elderkin, all of Bristol, and Doreen Walker of Sanford, Maine; three sisters, Philomena Capriccio and Edith August, both of Bristol, and Frances Coelho of Tiverton; two brothers, Raymond and Robert Goulart, both of Bristol; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Lawrence and Joseph Goulart. A funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 30, at noon in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Warren. Burial was in North Burial Ground.

Mary Sylvia
Former resident, retired bobbin operator
Mary (Pontes) Sylvia, 94, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at the Desilets Nursing Home in Warren. Born in Portugal, a daughter of the late John and Cynthia (Pontes) Pontes, she was a Bristol and Warren resident for most of her life. She was a bobbin operator at Quaker Mills for many years before her retirement. She leaves a son, Edward Silvia of Foley, Ala.; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her funeral will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, from the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home , 615 Main St., Warren, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Metacom Avenue, Warren. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Warren.

Alice F. Arruda
Funeral services for Alice F. (Freitas) Arruda were held Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, from the Sansone Funeral Home, with a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial in St. Elizabeth's Church. The Reverend Thomas J. Ferland was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass, while the Reverend Joseph D. Santos and the Reverend Dom Julian Stead, O.S.B., concelebrated the Mass. Granddaughter Deborah Arruda was the reader for the Mass and Mrs. Arruda's son and daughter-in-law, August Arruda Jr. and Judy H. Arruda, presented the offertory gifts. August Arruda Jr. also delivered the eulogy. Organist Stephen Romano and soloist Denise Dufour provided the music. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery, where Father Ferland read the committal prayers. Pallbearers were John C. Arruda, Charles M. Carreiro, William A. Tavares, Jon P. Hebert, Todd B. Hebert and Edward J. Dias. Mrs. Arruda, 95, of 74 Greylock Road, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Silver Creek Manor Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late August Arruda Sr.

Mary Vargas Grieve
Retired DOH secretary
Mary (Cabral) Vargas Grieve, 78, of 5 Hawthorne Ave., died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. She was the wife of the late Archibald A. Grieve and the late Frank A. Vargas. Born in Santa Barbara, Calif., the daughter of the late John and Christina (Sousa) Cabral, she lived in Portsmouth for 50 years before moving to Bristol. Mrs. Grieve was a secretary for the state Department of Health and a cashier for the former First National Store of Bristol. She leaves a son, Frank Michael Vargas of Bristol; a daughter, Kristine Harris of Warren; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was also the mother of the late Judy Pimental. Her funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. from the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home, 615 Main St., Warren, with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Metacom Ave., Warren, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Maria Nadine Negro
Was teacher, department head at Portsmouth High
Maria Nadine (Carmone) Negro, 43, of 29 Forest Road, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at St. Joseph's Hospital in North Providence. She was the wife of Joseph Negro, her husband of 13 years. Born in Fall River and a lifelong Bristol resident, she was the daughter of Vincent S. and Dolores (Rego) Carmone of Bristol and the late Ann Rose (Dorsi) Carmone. An educator for 14 years, she was department head and a techer in the Business and Technology Department at Portsmouth High School. She previously taught at Portsmouth Middle School and the former Warren High School. Mrs. Negro was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and a graduating member of Bristol High School's class of 1977. She received her bachelor's degree in business from Providence College in 1982 and her master's degree in business from Johnson and Wales University. Besides her parents and husband, she leaves a son, Chad Lambert of Bristol; three daughters, Faith Elizabeth, Agnes Rose and Vanessa Ann Negro of Bristol; a sister, JoAnn Carter of Bristol; a step-sister, Mary D. Olson of Bristol; two step-brothers, Mark A. Ruggieri of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Stephen P. Ruggieri of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Dec. 30, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Rescue Squad, PO Box 775, Bristol, RI, 02809 or to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State St., Bristol, RI, 02809.

Mary J. Giannotti
Tiverton resident, former assembler
Mary J. "Mary Jo" (St. Ours) Giannotti, 72, of Pelletier Lane, Tiverton, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at home. She was the wife of the late Raymond R. Giannotti Sr. Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of the late Rudolph O. and Claudia (Leduc) St. Ours. She had lived in Tiverton for 38 years after moving from Fall River. Mrs. Giannotti was an assembler for Lightolier for 11 years before she retired four years ago. A past president of the Fall River Emblem Club, she was involved in fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and was a parishioner of St. Theresa Church. She leaves two sons, Alan Giannotti and Raymond Giannotti Jr., both of Fall River; a daughter, Sr. Rayleen Giannotti R.S.M. of Providence; two sisters, Doris Munroe and Annette Pelland, both of Tiverton; and four grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Eugene, William, Robert, Rudolph, Joseph, Ida, Claudia, Roseanna and Florence St. Ours and Jeanette Howarth. Her funeral was held Monday, Dec. 30, from the Hebert-Hathaway Funeral Home in Fall River, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton. Burial followed in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River.

Marie Carreiro
Retired cake decorator
Marie (Furtado) Carreiro, 77, of 305 Fish Road, Tiverton, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of Amos Carreiro. Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of the late Francisco and Rose (Gouveia) Furtado. She had lived in Tiverton for more than 60 years. Before retiring, Mrs. Carreiro worked as a cake decorator at Stop & Shop in Fall River and Middletown and at Steve's Doughnuts in Somerset. She was a communicant of Holy Ghost Church. In addition to her husband, she leaves two sons, Ronald A. Carreiro of Waldorf, Md., and Robert F. Carreiro of Tiverton; a daughter, Cynthia J. Koniecki of Tiverton; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her funeral was held Monday, Dec. 30, from Rogers Funeral Home in Fall River, with a funeral Mass in Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton. Burial was in Pocasset Hill Cemetery in Tiverton.

Clifford R. Carlson
Bank executive, leader of civic, charitable groups
Clifford R. Carlson, 79, of 95 Howland Road, Westport Harbor, died on Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, after a long illness. He was the husband of Alyce (Cameron) Carlson to whom he had been married for 55 years. A resident of Westport Harbor since 1979, he had also wintered in Vero Beach, Fla., for several years and had lived on Nanaquaket Road, Tiverton, from 1969 to 1979. Born in Plainville, Conn., a son of the late Phillip and Anna (Anderson) Carlson, he lived his early life in Jamestown, N.Y., and New Britain, Conn., later returning to Plainville and graduating from Plainville High School. He graduated from Bryant College in 1949, from Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1962, and from the Management Development Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A Coast Guard combat veteran of World War II, he served in the South Pacific. He was a member of United Congregational Church in Little Compton. Mr. Carlson joined the Hartford National Bank in 1956, becoming vice president and heading its Middletown, Conn., office. While in Middletown he was involved in numerous civic and charitable causes, among them service as campaign chairman and board member of the United Fund, the Rotary Club, Faculty Club of Wesleyan University and trustee of the Portland, Conn. Congregational Church. He joined the former Fall River National Bank in 1969, becoming a member of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer in 1970. He led the bank through its period of greatest growth. The bank joined with the former New England Merchants Bank in the mid-1970s, which in turn became the Bank of New England. He retired in 1985 as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Bank of New England and Bristol County, continuing to serve as a consultant. Honored by the Greater Fall River Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1984 as "Outstanding Citizen of the Year," he was praised as "a quiet, unassuming leader of powerful influence in the community" in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Carlson served in the board of the Fall River Office of Economic Development and Jobs for Fall River. He was a board member of the Greater Fall River Development Corp., the Chamber of Commerce, the Private Industry Council, the Bristol County Development Corp., the Downtown Linkage Committee and the Women's Occupational Resource Development Organization. He was a founding member of the Greater Fall River Regional Task Force, served as president and director of the Greater Fall River Foundation for Giving, and served as chairman of the Business Advisory Board of the former Southeastern Massachusetts University. He served as campaign chairman, president and chairman of the United Way of Fall River, and also served on the boards of the Marine Museum of Fall River, Home for Aged People in Fall River, Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Fall River Historical Society, USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee, and was active in the realization of Heritage State, Park, Fall River. He was a corporator of Charlton Memorial Hospital. Mr. Carlson was a member, board member and treasurer of the Acoaxet Golf Club, Westport Harbor, and was a member of the Elephant Rock Beach Club, Tiverton Yacht Club, Quequechan Club, and Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club in Vero Beach. In addition to his wife, he leaves two daughters, Anne-Elizabeth Carlson-Brennan of Exeter, and Jean A. Carlson-Siefert of Duxbury, Mass; a son, Scott A. Carlson of New York, N.Y.; and six grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Dec. 27, at noon in the United Congregational Church, The Commons, Little Compton. Private burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Tiverton. Arrangements are by the Cherry Place Home of Waring-Sullivan, Fall River.

Mary E. Vieira
Avid crafter, former seamstress
Mary Estrella (Linhares) Vieira, 90, of 455 Brayton Ave., Somerset, and formerly of Fall River, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at the Southcoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was the wife of Joseph Vieira of Somerset, also formerly of Fall River. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Maria (dosAnjos) Linhares. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a seamstress for Chesterfield Dress. Mrs. Vieira was a communicant of Holy Trinity Parish and a member of the former St. Elizabeth's Parish, where she was very active in the Women's Guild. She was an avid crafter and was skilled in making afghans and crochet work. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Vieira leaves a daughter, Eileen Grimm of Tiverton; a son, David Vieira of Fall River; a brother, Alfred Linhares of Fall River; and six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Madeline Morrissette. Her funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 28 from the Pocasset Funeral Home in Tiverton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Trinity Church in Fall River. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River.

Nancy M. Riccitelli
Teacher's aide, former Portsmouth resident
Nancy M. Riccitelli, 53, of 1863 Pleasant St., Fall River, and formerly of Portsmouth, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at Sunbridge of Fall River. Born in Newport on May 27, 1949, she was a daughter of Alice (Mendes) Silvia of Portsmouth and the late Alfred D. Silvia. She lived in Portsmouth for many years and in Fall River for the last 29 years. Ms. Riccitelli was a teacher's aide at B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River for 10 years. In addition to her mother, she leaves a son, Paul Riccitelli of Taunton; a daughter, Marcy J. Riccitelli of Fall River; a sister, Linda Silvia of Portsmouth; and two grandchildren. Her funeral was held Thursday, Dec. 26 in Auclair Funeral Home, Fall River. Burial was in Trinity Cemetery, Portsmouth. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Outreach, 502 Bedford St., Fall River, MA 02720.

M. Gwendolyn McArdle
Tiverton resident, active in senior citizens clubs
M. Gwendolyn (Foley) McArdle, 96, of 32 Ocean View Ave., Tiverton, formerly of Whipple Street, Fall River, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. She was the wife of the late Paul McArdle. Born in Fall River on July 8, 1906, a daughter of the late Michael and Isabelle (Conroy) Foley, she lived in Fall River for most of her life and in Tiverton for the past 18 years. Mrs. McArdle had been employed by the former Cherry & Webb in Fall River. She was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Fall River. She was past president of the King Philip Senior Citizens Club, a member of the Senior Senate, and the Senior Citizens Club at the United Methodist Church in Fall River. She also played the piano for senior citizens clubs. She leaves a daughter, Myrene Elbert of Tiverton; and two granddaughters, Kathryn and Paula Elbert, both of Tiverton. Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 26, in St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. Memorial donations may be made to the Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720.

Margaret LaVault
Dress shop co-owner, active volunteer
Margaret LaVault, 87, of Highland Lakes of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Westport, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at home. She was the wife of the late Ed LaVault. Born in Tiverton, R.I., she had lived in East Providence, R.I., and New York City before moving to Westport, and was a winter resident of Palm Harbor. Mrs. LaVault had been co-owner of Elaine's Dress Shop in Providence, R.I., for several years before retiring. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross, the Diocesan Catholic Women, the Women's Club, and the Little Theater Group in Highland Lakes. She was a member of St. Luke Church, Palm Harbor, and St. John the Baptist Church, Westport. She leaves a son, Roch E. LeVault of Cumberland; two daughters, Elaine Smith of Cherry Hill, N.J., and Bernice LaVault of Palm Harbor; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Georgette J. DiOrio
Lived in town for 42 years
Georgette J. DiOrio, 80, of Roffee Street, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at the Waterview Villa Nursing Home in East Providence. She was the wife of the late Peter DiOrio Sr. Born in Woonsocket, a daughter of the late Ferninand and Flora (Ouilette) Bonin, she had lived in Barrington for 42 years. She was a communicant of Holy Angels Church. Mrs. DiOrio worked as an assembler at the A.T. Cross Co. in Lincoln for five years, retiring in 1985. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. She leaves four sons, Barrington residents Douglas D., Joseph J. and Donald DiOrio, and Roland DiOrio of Warwick; three brothers, Roger Bonin of Woonsocket and Burtrend and Lucien Bonin, both of North Smithfield; a sister, Mae Gamache of North Smithfield; eight grandchildren and a great-grandson. She was the mother of the late Peter DiOrio Jr., and sister of the late Irene Langlais and Robert Bonin. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 24, in Holy Angels Church. Burial followed in the Santa Maria del Campo Cemetery in Barrington.