Teresa E. (Bisceglio) Wilby - 7/25/2003
Teresa E. (Bisceglio) Wilby, 81, of Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda, FL, formerly of Warwick, a retired jewelry worker, died July 25, 2003, in the Charlotte Regional Medical Center, Punta Gorda. Born in Cranston on May 13, 1922, a daughter of the late Antonio and Angelina (Parente) Bisceglio, she had lived in Providence and Warwick before moving to Punta Gorda in 1986. Mrs. Wilby had worked for various Providence jewelry companies before retiring. She leaves her nephew and caretaker, Anthony Esposito of South Kingstown and Punta Gorda, and several other nephews and a niece. She was the sister of the late Joseph, John and Alexander Bisceglio, Grace Esposito and Jennie Oteri. Entombment was in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Stevan M. Forman - 7/30/2003
Stevan M. Forman, 56, of Nichol Avenue, a construction superintendent and former Providence Police officer and hotel loss-prevention director, died July 30, 2003, in the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center of Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, Providence. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Iannelli) Forman. Born in Providence, a son of the late Albert Smith and Catherine (Bouchard) Forman-Smith, he had lived in New Hampshire before moving to Warwick in 1990. He was a graduate of Chapman University, Orange, CA, and also of the Police Academy in Rhode Island. Mr. Forman had been working as a superintendent for several construction companies across the country. He had been the director of loss prevention for the Marriott and the Westin Hotels in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and had served in the Providence Police Department for several years. He also had been a martial arts instructor in Connecticut. He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Forman was a communicant of St. Clement Church. Besides his wife he leaves a son, Spencer N. Forman at home; three daughters, Kimberly A. Valladares of Plano, Texas, Nicole M. D Arcangelo of Wilmington, NC, and Annette H. D Arcangelo of Dunwoody, GA; and three grandchildren. The funeral was held from the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave. (Route 5), with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Clement Church, 111 Long Street. Burial with military honors was in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 would be appreciated.

Thomas D. Walker - 7/29/2003
Thomas D. Walker, 24, of Labrea Way, Coventry, a construction worker, died July 29, 2003, at Kent Hospital after being stricken on a job site Tuesday in West Warwick. Born in Warwick, a son of Robert A. and Rosemary E. (Buffery) Walker, he had been a lifelong Coventry resident. He was employed as a construction worker for Advanced Construction Company in Coventry for the past year. He was a graduate of Tiogue Elementary School, Coventry Jr. High, Coventry High School class of 1997 and the University of Rhode Island class of 2002 with a degree in business administration. He was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity at URI, the Pop Warner Football League, the Coventry High School Football Team and the Coventry Little League. A sports enthusiast, he enjoyed football and was a Patriots fan, baseball and was a Red Sox fan, weightlifting, golf, playing pool and cards. His special love was his family and friends. Besides his parents he leaves a brother, Robert C. Walker, and a sister-in-law, Dawn Walker both of West Greenwich; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was the grandson of the late Henry and Edith Buffery, Daniel and Helen Walker. A funeral service was held in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. Burial was in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.

William D. Fitz - 7/27/2003
William D. Fitz, 39, of South 34th Avenue, Tampa, FL, formerly of Lockwood Street, Warwick, a landscaper, died June 27, 2003, at home. Born in Rock Island, IL, a son of Walter Fitz of Madison, WS, and Joan (Clark) Cote of Warwick and the stepson of Kenneth Cote of Warwick and Joanne Fitz of Madison, he had lived in Warwick before moving to Tampa in 1988. Mr. Fitz had been a landscaper for many years in both the Warwick and Tampa areas. He had attended Pilgrim High School and received his GED from the Community College of Rhode Island in 1983. Besides his parents and stepparents he leaves two sisters, Lisa Montella of Warwick and Kelly Peterson of Sheboygan, WS. A funeral service was held in Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Amos House, 415 Friendship St., Providence, RI 02907 would be appreciated.

Paul W. Lamoureux - 7/27/2003
Paul W. Lamoureux, 70, of Hedgerow Drive, a retired vice president, sales representative and consultant, died July 27, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Marilyn F. (Burchard) Lamoureux. They had been married for 40 years. Born in Providence, a son of Alice (Roberge) Lamoureux of East Greenwich and the late Joseph Lamoureux, he had lived in Cranston before moving to Warwick 23 years ago. Mr. Lamoureux had been vice president of the Jay Printing Co. for 16 years. He was also a sales representative and consultant for the Alga Plastics Co., Cranston, the RourkeEno Paper Co., East Providence, and the Providence Paper Co. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and served aboard the Yellowstone. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich, and a member of the Ireland 32 Society. Mr. Lamoureux enjoyed reading, playing racquetball and traveling. He was an avid New York Yankees fan. Besides his wife and mother he leaves a son, Paul F. Lamoureux, PFD, of North Scituate. He was the brother of the late Anita Remington. The funeral was held from Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Rd., with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fourth Avenue, East Greenwich. Burial with military honors was in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 744 Park Ave., Cranston, RI 02910 or Providence Fire Museum, P.O. Box 72807, Providence, RI 02907 in his memory would be appreciated.

Leonilda A. "Nilda" Tanner - 7/29/2003
Leonilda A. "Nilda" Tanner, 68, of Rossi Street, died July 29, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. She was the wife of Charles W. Tanner Sr. A lifelong resident of Warwick, she was a daughter of the late Emilio Ruzzo and Marie (Santilli) Ruzzo. She was the wife of Charles W. Tanner Jr. They had been married for 42 years. She leaves three sons, Charles W. Tanner Jr. of Coventry, Keith M. Tanner of New London, Conn., and Kevin Tanner of Warwick; two brothers, Edward Ruzzo of Coventry and Raymond Ruzzo of Warwick; a sister, Maryanna Ferrante of Johnston; and a grandson. She was the sister of the late Flora DeFazio and Sammy Ruzzo. The funeral was held from Robert A. Iannotti & Sons Funeral Home, 415 Washington St., Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church, Providence Street, West Warwick. Burial was in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.

Irving I. Winsor - 7/31/2003
Irving I. Winsor, 87, of Beachwood Drive, a retired shellfisherman, died July 31, 2003, at Cortland Place, Smithfield. He was the husband of Gladys C. (Hopkins) Winsor. They had been married for 67 years. Born in Smithfield, a son of the late James and Myra (Ingham) Winsor, he had been a resident of Warwick for 47 years. Mr. Winsor had been a self-employed shellfisherman for 37 years, retiring in 1992. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Seabees. Besides his wife he leaves five sisters, Alice Fague and Myra Winsor, both of Smithfield, Dorothy Lemieux of North Providence, Beatrice Lebran of Magler Beach FL, and Mabel Caudell of Palm Coast, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late James F. Winsor. The funeral was held in Elliott M. Robbins Chapel, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Burial was in Glenford Cemetery, North Scituate.

Jean R. Gelinas - 7/31/2003
Jean R. Gelinas, 57, of Pinehurst Avenue, a registered nurse, died July 31, 2003, at home. She was the wife of William Edward Gelinas. Born in Pawtucket, she was a daughter of the late Francis and Jean (Lang) Provost. Mrs. Gelinas had been a registered nurse at Ketchikan (Alaska) Hospital for seven years and later at Kent County Memorial Hospital for seven years before retiring in 2000. She was a member of the Society of Registered Nurses in Ketchikan and the Woonsocket Genealogy Society. Besides her husband she leaves two daughters, Cindy Gelinas and Tamara Price, both of Coventry; a brother, Frank Provost of Warwick; and eight grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Lori-Ann Price. The funeral service was held in Gorton Funeral Home, 721 Washington St., Coventry. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery, West Warwick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903.

Alfred E. Gingras Jr. - 7/23/2003
Alfred E. Gingras Jr., 40, of Goff Avenue, a former Hasbro employee, died July 23, 2003, at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. Born in Central Falls, he was a son of Alfred and Catherine (Lambert) Gingras, both of Pawtucket. Mr. Gingras retired in 1995. Besides his parents he leaves a son, Daniel Gingras, and a stepdaughter, Andrea Gingras, both of Warwick; and two sisters, Linda Wall of Orlando, FL, and Cathy Bentley of Pawtucket. The mass and burial were private.

Gerald P. McNamara - 8/1/2003
Gerald P. McNamara, 55, of Ninth Avenue, in historic Olde Buttonwoods, an entrepreneur, patent holder and civic and political activist, died August 1, 2003, at home. He was the husband of Thomasine (LaHaye) McNamara. Born in Providence, he was a son of Katharine (Lynch) McNamara of Warwick and the late Gerald P. McNamara. Mr. McNamara founded three manufacturing companies specializing in environmental products. He co-founded the former Millay Corp., Coventry, in 1975, a machine-tool plant, and later founded Advanced Systems Inc., at Quonset Point and Advanced Environmental Corp., Webster, Mass. He patented a recyclable abrasive blasting system currently used on every continent, allowing the removal of toxic paint from bridges and other infrastructures without contaminating the environment. Mr. McNamara served on the executive board of the Industrial Painting Coalition, was active nationally in the Steel Structure Painting Council, and was appointed to the Rhode Island Coalition on Environmental Lead. He was on the executive board of the Warwick Democratic City Committee, served on the 6th Ward Democratic Committee, and had been actively involved in many local and state political campaigns. He was the treasurer of the Buttonwoods Fire District and was on the board of directors of A Wish Come True. A graduate of Pilgrim High School, he earned a bachelor's degree from Bryant College, did graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania in business and engineering and was a board member of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Manufacturing Forum. He was a communicant of St. Rose and St. Clement Church. Besides his wife and mother he leaves two sons, Christopher P. and Matthew P. McNamara, both of Warwick; a daughter, Erin McNamara Sarris of Boston; a brother, State Rep. Joseph M. McNamara of Warwick; and two grandsons. The funeral was held from Peter J. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Clement Church, Long Street, Warwick. Contributions in his memory may be made to Home and Hospice Care of RI, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.

John H. "Mac" McLellan - 7/30/2003
John H. "Mac" McLellan, 96, of West Bay Manor, West Shore Road, formerly of Howland Road, Cranston, a retired machinist-toolmaker, died July 30, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Irene J. (Carmell) McLellan. Born in East Hamden, Maine, a son of the late Daniel and Laura (Clarke) McLellan, he had lived in Cranston for 46 years before moving to Warwick last year. Mr. McLellan had been a machinist-toolmaker at Amtrol Inc., West Warwick, for over 20 years, retiring in 1977, and had worked as a consultant to the company for 12 years after his retirement. He was a member and past Grand Knight of Warwick Council 2295, Knights of Columbus, and a life member of the Father Wallace 4th degree Assembly, K of C. Mr. McLellan had been a member of Warwick Country Club for 43 years. He leaves a son, John J. McLellan of Warwick; a daughter, Rose Angela McLellan, RSM, of Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Attleboro; three grandchildren, Patricia LePage of Swansea, Andrew McLellan of Cumberland and Ross McLellan of Higham, Mass.; and three great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Catherine Falls, Edward McLellan, Agnes D Mario and Rose Solomon. The funeral was held from Peter J. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., with a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial in St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Ave. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864.

John M. Lepry - 7/31/2003
John M. Lepry, 86, of Nausauket Road, a retired teacher, died July 31, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Rachel S. (Bouchard) Lepry. They had been married for 50 years. Born in West Warwick, a son of the late Louis and Annie (Mitchell) Lepry, he had lived in Warwick most of his life. Mr. Lepry had worked in the Warwick school system for 29 years, teaching English and social studies at Lockwood and Winman Schools before retiring in 1980. He had previously worked in the Apponaug post office. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, serving as a fighter pilot in Europe with the 86th Fighter Group. He had flown 101 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, several Air Medals, and the Soldier's Medal for his part in the rescue of eight elderly and infirm people during a flood in Grossetto, Italy, in October 1944. Mr. Lepry was a graduate of Providence College in 1950 and received a master's degree from Rhode Island College. He had been active in the antiabortion movement for over 25 years. Besides his wife he leaves a son, Mark S. Lepry of Boston; a daughter, Suzanne M. Meman of Coral Springs, FL; a brother, Louis Lepry of East Greenwich; four sisters, Rosemary Cross of Coventry and Dolores Lepry, Ann Brown and Rita Russo, all of Warwick; and eight grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Louise Casey. The funeral was held from Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 3250 Post Rd. Burial with military honors took place in Arlington (Virginia) National Cemetery. Gifts in his memory to RI Right to Life, 266 Smith St., Providence, RI 02908 would be appreciated.

Jean D. Healey - 7/30/2003
Jean D. Healey, 66, of Capeside Drive, Wilmington, NC, formerly of Pilgrim Drive, Warwick, a registered nurse and supervisor, died July 30, 2003, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. She was the wife of Robert J. Healey. They had been married for 13 years. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Wilfred R. and Mary Evelyn (Duggan) McPeak, she had lived in West Warwick and Warwick before moving to Wilmington in 2001. She was a registered nurse with the Rhode Island MHRH for over 30 years before retiring as a supervisor in 2000. She was a graduate of the Newport Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. She attended Salve Regina University and was the recipient of the Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award. Besides her husband she leaves two sons, Anthony Jay Caniglia of North Hampton, Mass., and Andrew Caniglia of Providence; four daughters, Mary Ellen Caniglia and Evelyn Lyn Corpus, both of West Kingston, Amy Canario of Portsmouth and Margaret Phelps of Richmond; a stepdaughter, Melissa Healey of Warwick; two sisters, Patricia L. Carty of Warwick and Eileen M. Ullrich of South Kingstown; a brother, Wilfred R. McPeak Jr. of Coventry; her former husband, Antonio Caniglia of Cranston; and eight grandchildren. The funeral was celebrated from Henault-Gallogly Funeral Home, 5 Eddy St., West Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church, Church Street, West Warwick. Burial was in Greenwood Burial Ground, Coventry. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society, 400 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 in her memory would be appreciated.

David E. Walsh - 8/2/2003
David E. Walsh, 64, of Eaton Street, Providence, died August 2, 2003, at West Shore Health Center, Warwick. Born in Providence, a son of the late James Edward and Helen M. (Cronin) Walsh, he was a lifelong resident of the city. He leaves a niece, Dana W. Garvey, and a great-niece, Morgan C. Monahan, both of Salisbury, Mass.; and a cousin, Mary L. Croft of Warwick. He was the brother of the late Caley R. Garvey. The funeral was held from Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Name Church, Ladies Chapel, Camp Street, Providence. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

Brad S. Grocott - 7/31/2003
Brad S. Grocott, 39, of Observatory Road, an employee of Craft Displays, died July 31, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence Born in Providence, a son of Jane A. (Sankey) Grocott of Warwick and the late John W. Grocott, he was a lifelong resident of the city. Mr. Grocott had been employed by Craft Display for 15 years. Besides his mother he leaves two brothers, David W. Grocott of Cranston and Scott A. Grocott of Warwick; a sister, Kimberly A. Lower of Warwick; two nieces and three nephews. A memorial Requiem was celebrated in Trinity Episcopal Church, 39 Ocean Ave., Cranston.

Walter L. Koch - 8/2/2003
Walter L. Koch, 89, of Namquid Drive, a retired carpenter, died August 2, 2003, at home. He was the husband of the late Rose T. (Mendonca) Koch. Born in Providence, a son of the late Frederick W. and Grace M. (Gallagher) Koch, he had lived in Warwick since 1941. Mr. Koch had been a carpenter for 30 years before retiring in 1976. He was a member of Carpenters Local 94. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a former member of William Shields Post 43, American Legion. He leaves a brother, Arthur E. Koch, and a grandson, Raymond F. Lema, both of Warwick; a daughter-in-law, Barbara F. Lema; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the stepfather of the late Francis C. Lema and brother of the late Frederick W. Koch Jr., George E. Koch, Grace E. MacRae and Carlton F. Koch. The funeral service was held in Peter J. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave. Burial was in Pawtuxet Memorial Park.

Salvatore Iacono - 8/3/2003
Salvatore Iacono, 85, of Deltona, FL, and South Yarmouth, Mass., formerly of Warwick, a retired aircraft mechanic, died August 3, 2003, at Windsor Skilled Nursing Center, South Yarmouth. He was the husband of Matilda M. (Izzo) Iacono. They had been married for 58 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Antonio and Louise (Calise) Iacono, he had lived in Warwick before retiring to Deltona, and he summered in South Yarmouth. Mr. Iacono was a civilian aircraft mechanic at Quonset Point Naval Air Station. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II and served with the 8th Air Force Division in England. He was also a retired member of the Rhode Island Air National Guard. Beside his wife he leaves a son, Anthony M. Iacono of West Chester, PA; two daughters, Ann M. Iacono of Coppell, Texas, and Janice Walsh of Flower Mound, Texas; a brother, Frank L. Iacono of Providence; a sister, Phyllis Pesare of North Providence; and a grandchild. The funeral was held from Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, with a funeral Mass in St. Pius X Church, Station Avenue, South Yarmouth. Burial followed in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

D. Thomas Masello - 4/1/2003
D. Thomas Masello, 89, of Chatham Circle, a retired accountant, died April 1, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. He was the husband of Lottie (Lombardi) Masello. They had been married for 61 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Luigi and Philomena (Giuliani) Masello, he had lived in Warwick for eight years, previously living in Providence most of his life. Mr. Masello had been an internal auditor at Bostich, East Greenwich, for 11 years before retiring 19 years ago. Previously, he had been a data processing manager for the Coro Mfg. Co., Providence, for many years. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a 1st lieutenant. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus in Providence and a member of the National Association of Cost Accountants. He was a parishioner of Holy Ghost Church, Providence. Besides his wife he leaves two daughters, Anne Fornaro and her husband, John E. Fornaro Jr., of Smithfield and Linda K. DeAngelis and her husband, Dr. Charles J. DeAngelis, of Warwick; a sister, Anna Hux of Columbia, Md.; five grandchildren, David and Susan Fornaro, Jason, Meghan and Tara DeAngelis; and two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Eric Thomas Fornaro. He was the brother of the late Anthony and Armando Masello, Catherine DiMaio and Hilda Rossi. The funeral was held from Thomas Gattone & Son Funeral Home, 334 Broadway, Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Ghost Church, Knight Street, Providence. Burial with military honors was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

John Caruso - 2/4/2003
John Caruso, a Korean War Army veteran and one of the founders of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Exeter, died February 4, 2003, in Florida. He was 71. Born in Providence, a son of the late Peter and Angelina (Perri) Caruso, he lived in Warwick for most of his life. He was the Chairman of the Warwick Sewer Authority and the owner of the C & L Building Company in Warwick. Mr. Caruso is survived by four daughters, Denise St. Jean, Diane Smith, Darlene McNeill and Doreen Caruso; three sisters, Eleanor Goforth, Evelyn DiNofrio and Anna Malatesta; and five grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Peter Caruso Jr. He was a great guy, very understanding and generous, said Dennis Vinhateiro, executive director of the Warwick Sewer Authority. Former Mayor Joseph Walsh appointed Mr. Caruso to the authority in June 1983. In October of that year he was elected chairman, a position he held until February 1997. Two years later he was reappointed to the authority and assumed the chairmanship again. Vinhateiro said Mr. Caruso was always willing to listen to people appearing before the authority. He will be sorely missed. He was a great public servant, committed to working on the Sewer Authority to which he gave many years of service, said Walsh. Mr. Caruso was the driving force behind the construction of the Korean War Memorial at the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter. Mr. Caruso promoted contributions for a memorial to the forgotten war just about everywhere he went, eventually raising over $250,000 for the project as well as in kind contributions of labor and materials. The Warwick contractor who has been active in civic affairs for decades was leading the Commemorative Community Committee of the Korean War Veterans of Rhode Island as it commenced a three-year observance of the 50th anniversary of the war. At a 2000 ceremony, Major General Reginald Centracchio of the Rhode Island National Guard called Caruso a tremendous patriot whatever is right in this state, John Caruso is in the midst of it. The funeral was held from Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave., Rte. 5, Warwick.

Viola L. (Troening) McKenna - 1/31/2003
Viola L. (Troening) McKenna, 93, of Kansas City, MO, died January 31, 2003, in Kansas City. She was the widow of Russell E. McKenna Sr., former chairman of the Warwick School Committee, who passed away in 1965. Born on January 31, 1910, in Brooklyn, NY, she lived in Moosup, CT, and in Warwick for many years and was active in community activities and was a member of Pawtuxet Order of the Eastern Star. She had been an active member of the Church of the Transfiguration in Edgewood until moving to The Top of the World in Clearwater, FL, in 1970 and was one of the founders of the Golden Knot of All Saints Church in Providence. She left Clearwater in 1988 to move to Kansas City to be near her family. She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Jenkins of Gravois Mill, MO; a son, Cmdr. Russell E. McKenna Jr. (U.S.N. Retired) of Sequim, Wash.; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Cremation and burial were held in Pocasset Cemetery, Providence.

Gerald R. Lafontaine - 2/2/2003
Gerald R. Lafontaine, 51, of Wingate Court, a high school science teacher, died unexpectedly February 2, 2003, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. He was the husband of Kathryn (Irza) Lafontaine; they had been married for 29 years. Born in Woonsocket, a son of Roland G. and Rachel (Lajoie) Lafontaine, both of Woonsocket, he had lived in Warwick since 1989. A graduate of Woonsocket High School, he received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Rhode Island College in 1975. Mr. Lafontaine was a teacher of general science, chemistry, physics, astronomy and forensic science and the developer of the forensic science curriculum that is now taught at all three of Warwick's public high schools. He had been teaching at Toll Gate High School for 24 years and previously had taught at the former Lockwood Junior High School for four years. He was active in the Astronomy and Electronic Visual Arts Clubs at the high school. In 1991, Mr. Lafontaine had been honored as Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the American Chemical Society and Teacher of the Year by the Toll Gate Honor Society. He was a fan of baseball, tennis, movies and video games and also enjoyed photography. Besides his wife and his parents he leaves two sons, James P. Lafontaine of Cranston and Julian J. Lafontaine at home; and two sisters, Carol A. McDonald and Lisa M. Staknis, both of Woonsocket. The funeral was held from the Peter A. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. William Church, Pettaconsett Ave. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.