Sheila Berg-Klatt
Former resident of Barrington
Sheila Berg-Klatt, 80, of North Kingstown, died Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She was the wife of the late Charles Klatt, and was previously married to the late Knute Berg. Born in East Providence, a daughter of the late Philip and Mildred (Grant) Erickson, she lived in Barrington, Portsmouth and Rehoboth before moving to North Kingstown 11 years ago. She was a member of the North Kingstown Senior Center and the Sierra Club. A nature lover, she enjoyed gardening and was an artist and antiques dealer for the past 25 years. She leaves a daughter, Jennifer Berg of North Kingstown; a brother, Leonard Erickson of Rumford; two sisters, Ruth Blades of North Kingstown and Edith Grist of South Kingstown; and three grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Jeffrey Berg, and sister of the late Earl Erickson, Charles Erickson and Doris Valliere. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 19, at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.

Edgar J. Boucher
World War II veteran, steelworker and pressman
Edgar J. Boucher, 84, of North Cornell Avenue, died Sunday, April 20, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of the late Arminda (Ferreira) Boucher. Born in Warren, he was a son of the late Joseph and Roseanna (Sylvia) Boucher. He was a lifelong Warren resident. Mr. Boucher was a steelworker for Washburn Wire for many years, and a pressman for the former Kleistone Rubber Co., in Warren, before retiring in 1981. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a communicant of St. Jean Baptiste Church. He leaves a daughter, Janet Boucher, of Warren; and a brother, Oscar Boucher of Warren. He was the brother of the late Alice Cirullo. His funeral will be on Thursday, April 24, from the William J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 15 Church St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Jean Baptiste Church on Main Street. He will be buried in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery.

Justin M. Nunes
Avid soccer player, attended Mt. Hope High School
Justin Matthew Nunes, 17, of 597 Wood St., Bristol, died Saturday, April 19, 2003, in Bristol. Born in Providence, he was a son of John P. Nunes of Bristol, and Lori A. (Donahue) Nunes of Warren. A lifelong Bristol resident, he was a junior at Mt. Hope High School. Mr. Nunes was employed as a laborer at Acme Concrete Form Company in Johnston. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Church, Bristol, where he served as an altar server. He played in the St. Elizabeth Church CYO Basketball League, and he played soccer for the Bristol Youth Soccer Association and the Bristol Men's Soccer League. Besides his parents, he leaves two sisters, Brooke l. Fernandes and Brianna A. Fernandes, both of Bristol; a maternal grandmother, Phyllis Donahue, and paternal grandmother, Alice Nunes, both of Bristol. His funeral will be Thursday, April 24, from Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Church, 577 Wood St., Bristol. He will be buried in St. Mary Cemetery, Bristol. Contributions in his memory may be made to MADD, Rhode Island Chapter, 2 Regency Plaza, Providence, RI 02903

Melba Benoit
Firestone employee, had 26 great grandchildren
Melba (Emmett) Benoit, 87, formerly of Center Street, Westport, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at Southcoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness. She was the widow of Theodore Benoit Sr. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late William and Hannah (Kay) Emmett. She had lived in Westport since 1954. Mrs. Benoit formerly was an assembler in the gas mask department at the Firestone Co. in Fall River. She was a communicant of St. George's Church, Westport. She was a member of Noquochoke Senior Citizens, Westport Senior Citizens, American Association of Retired Persons, American Legion Auxiliary Post 145 in Westport and the National Council on Aging Senior Citizens. She leaves two sons, Theodore P. Benoit and Raymond A. Benoit, both of Westport; three daughters, Dorothy A. Kulpa of Fall River, Theresa Shawa of Lake Charles, La., and Carol J. Fielding of Westport; two brothers, Milton Emmett of Tiverton, R.I., and Clifford Emmett of Elmonty, Calif.; a sister, Hilda Syde of Fall River; 29 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Edward Emmett, William Emmett and Norman Emmett, and the mother of the late Robert H. Benoit and Gary A. Benoit. Her funeral was held Saturday, April 18, at Potter Funeral Home, with a Mass at St. George Church. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery.

Pete St. Martin
Postal clerk, war veteran, enjoyed motorcycles
Pete St. Martin, 72, of Wareham, died Saturday, April 19, 2003. He was the son of the late Arthur and Charlotte (Monin) St. Martin. Born in Westport, he lived in Wareham most of his life. He graduated from Westport High School. Mr. St. Martin served in the Army from 1948 to 1955 and in the Air Force from 1955 to 1969. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was employed as a postal clerk for the Wareham Post Office where he worked for many years before retiring. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Buzzards Bay Eagles No. 3741, the Wareham Lodge of Elks No. 1548, the Wankinquoh Rod & Gun Club and the Cape Cod Harley Owners Group. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed fishing. He leaves four sons, Steven St. Martin of Washington, David St. Martin of Wareham, Paul St. Martin of Kingston and Jeffrey St. Martin of Randolph; two daughters, Rita St. Martin of Wareham and Nancy Bozza of Bridgewater.; two sisters, Georgette Ferland of Carver and Marguerite Routhier of Westbrook, Conn.; nine grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Lisa Bell who died in 1991 and brother of the late Rene, Edward and George St. Martin. His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, in St. Margaret's Church, Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Burial will be in Veterans National Cemetery, Bourne. Arrangements are by Stott, Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Route 28, Wareham.

Henry L. Kosior
WWII Army veteran, paratrooper, avid golfer
Henry L. "Coke" Kosior, 74, of 927 State Road, Westport, died Monday, May 12, 2003, at home. He was the husband of Dorothy J. (Osselin) Kosier. Born in Warren, R.I., he was the son of the late Louis Kosior and the late Henrietta (Szeregowicz) Kosior). He lived in Fall River most of his life until moving to Westport 30 years ago. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne in Japan. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 486. Before retiring in 1972, Mr. Kosior was employed as a fuel shipper at Newport Naval Base. He previously worked at Firestone Rubber Manufacturing Co. for 15 years. He was an avid golfer. In addition to his wife, he leaves a daughter, Paula Gendreau of Westport; a sister, Carolyn F. Roseberry of Plymouth; two great-grandchildren; and a niece and a nephew. He was the grandfather of the late Matthew D. Gendreau. Arrangements are by the Boyko Memorial Funeral Home in Fall River.

Walter E. Lindberg
Businessman, leaves daughter here
Walter E. Lindberg, 85, of Warren, died Thursday, May 1, 2003, at Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center in Providence. He was the husband of Margaret G. (Chalmers) Lindberg. Born in Seekonk, a son of the late Axel and Ida (Swanson) Lindberg, he lived in Seekonk for 69 years before moving to the family summer home in Warren's Touisset section in 1986. Mr. Lindberg grew up on the family farm in Seekonk during the Great Depression. He left the farm in 1945 and established Lindberg Farms, a home delivery egg-and-poultry business. In 1955, he founded Lindberg's, an appliance and television retail store. Some years later, he expanded the operation to include a separate piano and organ business which developed into a small chain of mall stores. After his retirement in the 1980s, and out of restlessness, he began working as a real estate agent, retiring permanently at age 82. A member of the Seekonk School Committee for 15 years, Mr. Lindberg served as its chairman for 10 years. He was a member of the building committee for the Seekonk Junior High School, and chairman of the Seekonk High Building Committee. He was a 50-year member and deacon emeritus of Seekonk Congregational Church, and a 60-year member and past master of the Netop Lodge of Masons, formerly of Seekonk, now merged with the Rehoboth Lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a former member and past president of the East Providence Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the East Providence Rotary, the Tokalon Club, the Anawan Club and Seekonk Grange. Besides his wife, he leaves four daughters, Susan Howell of Barrington. Margaret Toohey of Bristol, Judith Lawson of Rehoboth and Kathleen Pearson of Warren; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Carl A. Lindberg. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 10, in the Seekonk Congregational Church. Burial was private.

Margaret McKenna
Leaves son in Warren
Margaret McKenna, 74, of Sutton Avenue, East Providence, died Friday, May 9, 2003, in Miriam Hospital. She was the wife of the late Francis L. McKenna. Born in East Providence, she was a daughter of the late Antone and Ana (Warner) Ferreira. She was a lifelong East Providence resident. Mrs. McKenna was a data supervisor for BlueCross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island for 18 years before retiring because of illness. She was a member of the Comprehensive Adult Day Center, Providence, for two years. She leaves two sons, Michael P. McKenna of Warren and Gerald T. McKenna of Riverside; four daughters, Kathleen A. Proffitt of Danielson, Conn., Mary M. Perez of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Peggy McKenna of East Providence and Eileen F. McKenna of Plainfield, Conn.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her funeral was on Tuesday, May 13, from Perry/McStay Funeral Home, East Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Loreto Church. She was buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation New England Chapter, 2348 Post Road, Suite 104, Warwick, RI 02886.

Maria P. DeFreitas
Worked at Grand Islander, enjoyed knitting for family
Maria P. (Mendes) DeFreitas, 73, of 90 Girard Avenue Newport, died Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River. She was the wife of the late Jaime DeFreitas to whom she had been married for 51 years. Born in Madeira, Portugal, on Oct. 30, 1929, she was a daughter of the late John and Delmina (Gomes) Mendes. Mrs. DeFreitas was a housekeeper at the Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. She was a member of Jesus Saviour Church. Mrs. DeFreitas enjoyed knitting for her children and grandchildren as well as spending time with them all. She leaves five sons, Jaime DeFreitas, Juvenal DeFreitas and Jose DeFreitas all of Middletown, Ernesto DeFreitas of Bristol, and John DeFreitas of Portsmouth; four daughters, Ermenia Francisco and Manuela Garcia both of Middletown, and Alda Maria Albernase and Bernadette DeFreitas, both of Portsmouth; two sisters, Eizara Bent of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Mariazinha Clement, and eleven grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Maria P. DeFreitas. Her funeral was held on Monday, May 12, from the Memorial Funeral Home, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Jesus Saviour Church, Newport.Burial was in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to Jesus Saviour Church, Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.

Pauline C. Banville
Manager for McCory Corp for many years
Pauline C. (Bernard) Banville, 68, of Pelletier Lane, Tiverton, formerly of Osborn Street, Fall River, died Monday, May 12, 2003, at St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River. She was the wife of Richard H. Banville. Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late Germaine (Gagne) Bernard, she had lived in Fall River for most of her life and in Tiverton for the past 15 years. Mrs. Banville was a saleswoman and manager for the McCrory Corp., Fall River, for 42 years before retiring. Besides her husband of 44 years, she leaves two daughters, Denise Feinberg of Fall River and Dawn M. Banville of Tiverton; a brother, Paul A. Bernard of Newport; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 9 a.m. from the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St., Fall River, with a funeral Mass at 10 in St. Theresa Church, Stafford Road, Tiverton. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.

Lucia A. DelDeo
Retired music teacher, enjoyed traveling
Lucia A. "Lucy" DelDeo, 93, of Aquidneck Place, Portsmouth, and formerly of Providence and Fort Myers, Fla., died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at Silver Creek Manor, Bristol. Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Silvestro and Maria (Luongo) DelDeo. Ms. DelDeo had been a public school teacher in Providence for 38 years before retiring. She taught at several of the middle schools, and taught music for many years at the Samuel W. Bridgham Middle School, as well as Oliver Hazard Perry and Nathaniel Greene schools. She conducted several statewide student musical groups for the Rhode Island Teachers Association. A 1932 graduate of the former Rhode Island College of Education, she was a member of Mathewson Street United Methodist Church. She enjoyed traveling. She leaves a brother, Romolo DelDeo of Tiverton and Fort Myers, and a sister Adelaide Continelli of Epsom, N.H. She was the sister of the late Maria DiMaio, Mary Norden and Frank, Teresa and Carmela DelDeo. Her funeral was held Wednesday, May 14, in Thomas Gattone & Son Funeral Home, Providence. Burial was in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.

Carmella Lombardi
Retired factory worker, avid jigsaw puzzle maker
Carmella Lombardi, 82, of 17 Bliven Ave. died Sunday, May 18, 2003, at her home. She was the wife of the late Alfred P. Lombardi. She was born in Bristol, a daughter of the late Domenic and Josephine (Grazioso) Cavalieri and was a lifelong resident. Mrs. Lombardi retired in 1965 from the Cars Fulflex company after 18 years of service. She was an avid jigsaw puzzle maker and enjoyed shopping and yard sales. She leaves two sons, Anthony Lombardi of Bristol and John Lombardi of Riverside; three sisters, Catherine Tetreault of Sunnyville, Calif., Irene Cavalieri of Bristol and Jennie Pacheco of Bristol; two grandchildren and one daughter-in-law Hope Lombardi of Riverside. She was the sister of the late Peter, Frank and Lucy Cavalieri and Mary Gray. Her funeral was Wednesday, May 21, from the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Burial followed in Santa Maria Del Campo Cemetery in Barrington.

Barbara Greene Southwick
Former executive secretary loved dogs
Barbara Greene Southwick, 78, of Spinnaker Lane died Saturday, May 17, 2003, at St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River. She was the wife of the late Rodney L. Southwick. Born in North Attleboro, Mass., a daughter of the late Leo and Catherine (Duffy) Bresette, she lived in Bristol for 20 years. She was an executive secretary at Brown University for 15 years, retiring in 1978. She previously worked for the Honeywell Corporation. Mrs. Southwick was an avid Kerry Blues dog breed lover and a former animal shelter volunteer. While at North Farms, she was a columnist for the monthly newsletter and participated in North Farm variety shows. She was a member of Friends of Blithewold, Friends of Linden Place and the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society. She was a scuba diver with a love for the beach and ocean. She graduated from Attleboro High School in 1942 and received her associate's degree in secretarial studies from Lasell College in Newton, mass. She leaves a stepdaughter, Ann L. Chapman of Amesbury, Mass.; a stepson Rodney L. Southwick Jr. of Newburyport, Mass.; and two stepgrandchildren, Sarah Chapman of Somerville, Mass., and Samuel Chapman of East Boston, Mass. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 28, at 11 a.m. at the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. Arrangements are by the Sansone Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Animal Shelter, Minturn Farm Road, Bristol, RI 02809.

Margarida DeSousa
Leaves four children and 31 grandchildren
Margarida DeSousa, 81, of Child Street in Warren, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at her home. She was the wife of Jose M. DeSousa. Born in St. Michaels, the Azores, Portugal, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Medeiros, she had lived in Warren since 1972, when she moved to the United States from Portugal. Mrs. DeSousa had been a factory worker for American Tourister, formerly of Warren. Besides her husband, she leaves behind one son, Humberto Fernandes of Fall River, and three daughters, Clementina Raposo of Taunton, Mass., Maria Chapman of Warren and Alda Carvalho of Bristol. She was a grandmother to 17 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 14. She was the mother of the late Isabel Morais. Her funeral will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at the William J. Smith & Son Funeral Home,15 Church St., Warren, followed by a service at 9 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Spirit on Main Street in Warren. Burial will follow in South Burial Ground in Warren. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Elena L. Bianco
Leaves a son in Barrington
Elena L. Bianco, 91, of Lincoln, died Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She was the wife of the late Guirino A. Bianco. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Eraclio and Rosina (Caruolo) Lisi, she lived in Lincoln for five years, previously living in North Providence for 44 years. She worked as a seamstress for the former Outlet Co. for 15 years before retiring. She enjoyed needlework and knitting. Mrs. Bianco leaves a son, Richard H. Bianco of Barrington; a daughter, Barbara A. Dockray of North Providence; a brother, Michael Lisi of Providence; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, May 17, in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in North Providence. Burial followed in St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket.

Viola V. Lombardi
Lifelong resident of Barrington
Viola V. Lombardi, 78, of 397 Maple Ave., died Friday, May 16, 2003, at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center in Providence. She was the wife of the late Alfred Lombardi. Born in Barrington, a daughter of the late Antonio and Alexandria (Calce) Varone, she lived in town her entire life. She was a communicant of Holy Angels Church for more than 70 years, and loved the outdoors and gardening. She leaves a brother, Armand Varone of Riverside; a sister, Linda Gauvin of Barrington; and a nephew, Michael Gauvin of Barrington. She was a sister of the late Rita Palumbo and Amelia Varone. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 20, from the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home in Warren, with a Mass of Christian burial in Holy Angels Church. Burial followed in the Santa Maria del Campo Cemetery in Barrington.

Donald J. Alfonso
Owned Wayside Barber Shop in Tiverton
Donald James Alfonso, 60, of 1272 West Main Road, Portsmouth, formerly of 50 President Ave., died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River. He was the former husband of Janice Veronica (Giblin) Gannek of Warwick. Born in Newport on Sept. 16, 1942, he was a son of the late Antone and Adelma M. (Mello) Alfonso. Mr. Alfonso was the owner of the Wayside Barber Shop in Tiverton for 40 years. He had also worked at the Naval War College Barber Shop for 18 years. He was known as the "Barber Angel" because of the visits he made to hospitals and homes to cut the hair of ill customers. Mr. Alfonso enjoyed landscaping, was an avid fan of NASCAR, and owned antique cars. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a 1960 graduate of Rogers High School in Newport. Besides his former wife, he leaves three daughter, Michele Elizabeth Clacherty of Warwick, and Melissa Marie Alfonso and Alexandria Alfonso, both of Portsmouth, and two grandchildren. He was the brother of the late James Alfonso. His funeral was held on Saturday, May 17, from the Memorial Funeral Home, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barnabas Church, Portsmouth. Committal prayers followed at Atlantic Cremation Service, Portsmouth.