William Russian - 2/2/2003
William Russian, 77, of the Rhode Island Veterans Home, Metacom Avenue, Bristol, a retired salesman, died February 2, 2003, in Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. He was the husband of Cynthia (Stone) Russian of Warwick. Born in Providence, a son of the late Israel and Sarah (Pablinsky) Russian, he had lived in Warwick for 41 years before moving to Bristol eight months ago. Mr. Russian had been self-employed as a general merchandise salesman for 40 years until retiring 13 years ago. A Navy veteran of World War II serving in the Pacific, he was a member of the Jewish War Veterans. Mr. Russian was a member of the Rhode Island Jewish Fraternal Association. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Linda Russian of Warwick and Nancy Nouriel of Worcester, Mass.; two brothers, Samuel Russian of Willimantic, Conn., and Louis Russian of Cranston; a sister, Anne Grossman of Delray Beach,: Fla.; and two granddaughters. He was a brother of the late Meyer Russian, Mary Turek and Hazel Goldberg. A graveside funeral service was in Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Rd.

Violet "Bridget" Boutin - 2/1/2003
Violet "Bridget" Boutin, 87, of Centralia Road, Brooksville, Fla., formerly of Warwick, died February 1, 2003, at home. She was the wife of Alfred Boutin Sr.; they had been married for 66 years. Born in Pawtucket, a daughter of the late John A. and Charlotte E. (Tierney) Carlson, she had moved to Florida from Warwick in 1979. Besides her husband, she leaves three sons, Alfred Boutin Jr. of Weeki Wachee, Fla., and John J. and George D. Boutin, both of Brooksville; a brother, Everett H. Carlson of Brooksville; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held at the Brooksville Chapel of Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes, 1190 South Broad St., Brooksville. Burial was in the Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell, Fla.

Grace (DiLello) Ruggieri - 2/3/2003
Grace (DiLello) Ruggieri, 92, of Narragansett Parkway, died February 3, 2003, at Brookside Villa, Coventry. She was the wife of the late Charles C. Ruggieri Sr. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Emilio and Rose (Grimo) DiLello, she had lived in Warwick since 1930. She leaves a son, Charles C. Ruggieri Jr. of Warwick; two daughters, Monica G. Lamb of Lake Worth, Fla., and Rose Ann Kershaw of Sunapee, NH; a brother, Francis DiLello of Smithfield; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Louis, Michael and Nicholas DiLello, Frances Curci and Mildred Bisel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Peter Church, 350 Fair St. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.

Richard E. Whittier - 2/3/2003
Richard E. Whittier, 77, of Longwood Avenue, a retired manager, died February 3, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Elizabeth G. (Jones) Whittier. Born in Haverhill, Mass., a son of the late Timothy F. and Frances Whittier, he had lived in Warwick since 1960. He attended Sandborn Academy in Massachusetts: Mr. Whittier had worked for New England Electric Co., now a division of National Grid, for 38 years until retiring as manager of the audit department in 1984. A Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific. Mr. Whittier was a communicant of St. Peter Church. He was the brother of the late Ross Whittier. The funeral was held from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Church, Fair Street. Burial with military honors was in Pawtuxet Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Little Sisters of the Poor - Jeanne Jugan Residence, 964 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 would be appreciated.

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.

Albert J. Flamand - 1/27/2003
Albert J. Flamand, 80, of Custer Street, a retired custodian, died January 27, 2003, in Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Jeannine H. (Cardinal) Flamand. They had been married for 50 years. Born in Concord, NH, a son of the late David J. and Lumina M. (Demerse) Flamand, he had lived in Oakland Beach since the 1930s. Mr. Flamand had been employed in the Warwick School Department at Cedar Hill and Greenwood Elementary Schools for 10 years, retiring as head custodian in 1986, and was a member of Teamsters Local 251. He had previously worked at the A&P Tea Co. in Providence and the Associated Transport Co. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific, and was also a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the USS Denver Association and the Flamand Family Association. He was a communicant St. Rita Church. Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Denise M. Romanelli of Chesapeake, Va.; three sons, David W. Flamand of Spencer, Mass., and William D. and Paul A. Flamand, both of Coventry; and eight grandchildren. He was the father of the late Jeannine M. Flamand and brother of the late Joseph, Telesphore Pete and George C. Flamand, Lucienne Broulotte, Mary Gibeau and Jeannette Gravelin. The funeral was held from Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rita Church, Oakland Beach Avenue. Burial with military honors was in Notre Dame Cemetery, West Warwick.

Shirley E. Franklin - 1/26/2003
Shirley E. Franklin, 76, of Sparrow Point I, Hardig Road, died January 26, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late James E. Franklin. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Clyde Kenneth and Florence Edna (LaFlamme) Peck, she had lived in Warwick for 50 years. She leaves two sons, James E. Franklin Jr. of Plantation, Fla., and Kenneth H. Franklin of Brooklyn, Conn.; a daughter, Elaine E. Mailloux of Warwick; and three grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Beverly Lee. The funeral service was held in Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. Burial was private.

Sidney N. Budlong - 1/28/2003
Sidney N. Budlong, 90, of Brentwood Nursing Home, Post Road, formerly of Newton Avenue, a retired civil engineer for the state, died January 28, 2003, at the nursing home. He was the husband of the late Rita F. (McDonald) Budlong. Born in Warwick, a son of the late Willett and Jeannette (Wilcox) Budlong, he lived in Warwick all his life. Mr. Budlong had worked for the Public Works Division of the state Department of Transportation for 40 years, retiring in 1970 as a senior civil engineer. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a sergeant with the 3rd Infantry Regiment in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He enjoyed gardening, He leaves a son, Donald W. Budlong of Richmond, Va.; two daughters, Kathryn A. Wickham of Warwick and Barbara L. Andreano of Shrewsbury, Mass.; and 12 grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Byron, Harold, Paul, Lester, Carl, Daniel and Adrian Budlong, Louise Tanner and Marguerite Considine. The funeral was held from Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Kevin Church, Sandy Lane. Burial with military honors was in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 would be appreciated.

Thomas E. Johnston - 1/28/2003
Thomas E. Johnston, 79, of Nausauket Road, a retired electrician, died January 28, 2003, at Cedar Crest Nursing Home, Cranston. He was the husband of the late Mildred B. Johnston and the late Edna Johnston. Born in Providence, a son of the late Robert and Kathleen Johnston, he was a lifelong resident of Warwick. Mr. Johnston had been an electrician for many years at the Arkwright Co., Coventry, before retiring in 1989, and had formerly worked for Grinnell Corp. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company. He leaves two sons, Thomas Johnston of West Warwick and Richard Johnston in Maine; four daughters, Margaret Edwards of East Greenwich, Ann Milner and Kimberly Johnston, both of Warwick, and Paula Johnston of West Warwick; two stepsons, Gary and Justin Lang, two stepdaughters, Carol Coates and Rebecca Lang, and four brothers, Charles, Austin, Anthony and Joseph Johnston, all of Warwick; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was the father of the late Robert Johnston and stepfather of the late Stephen Lang. The funeral service was held in Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. Burial with military honors was in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.

Larny A. Banigan - 1/26/2003
Larny A. Banigan, 30, of Greenwich Avenue, a finish carpenter, died January 26, 2003, in Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, North Providence. He was the husband of Laurie Maroney. Born in Warwick, a son of Laurence H. Banigan III of Warwick and Mary (Santilli) Thacher of Coventry and the stepson of James Thacher, also of Coventry, he had lived in Warwick most of his life. Mr. Banigan was a finish carpenter for various companies. Besides his wife, parents and stepfather, he leaves a stepdaughter, Michelle Finlay of Warwick and his paternal grandfather, Laurence H. Banigan Jr. of Coventry. The funeral service was held in Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave. Burial was in All Saints Cemetery.

Constance E. (Greaney) O'Grady - 1/27/2003
Constance E. (Greaney) O'Grady, 81, of West Bay Manor, West Shore Road, a retired school teacher, died January 27, 2003 in Kent County Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of Joseph O'Grady. They had been married for 56 years. Born in Springfield, Mass., a daughter of the late Walter and Maude (Mansfield) Greaney, she had lived in Longmeadow, Mass., for many years before moving to Warwick last year. Mrs. O'Grady had been an elementary school teacher for 27 years at Harriet Beecher Stowe School, Enfield, Conn., retiring in 1990. She was a graduate of Bay Path College, Long Meadow, and received her master's degree in education from American International College, Springfield. Besides her husband she leaves two sons, James O'Grady of Plymouth, Mass., and Peter O'Grady of West Warwick; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. She was the mother of the late Susan Stevens and sister of the late Walter Greaney. The funeral was held from Hafey Springfield Chapels, 494 Belmont Ave., Springfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church, Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow. Burial was in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam.

Phyllis A. Manchester - 1/30/2003
Phyllis A. Manchester, 83, formerly of Hardig Road, a retired employee of A.T. Cross, died January 30, 2003, at West View Nursing Home, West Warwick. She was the wife of the late John R. Manchester. Born in Little Compton, a daughter of the late Walter and Caroline (Brown) Yetman, she had lived in Providence most of her life before moving to Warwick in 1978. Mrs. Manchester had been employed at the A.T. Cross Co., then based in Providence, for many years before retiring. She leaves a son, William A. Manchester of Warwick; a daughter, Catherine J. Manchester of North Kingstown; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Irene Jennings and Walter Yetman. The funeral service was private. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Tiverton.

Paul Kruk - 1/23/2003
Paul Kruk, 82, of Marlow Rd., a retired supervisor, died January 23, 2003, at Elmhurst Extended Care Facility, Providence. He was the husband of Lotte Marianne (Weber) Kruk. They had been married for 42 years. Born in the Ukraine, a son of the late Ilko and Sabina (Sydiaha) Kruk, he came to the United States in the late 1920s and had lived in Providence before moving to Warwick in 1960. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II and served with Company B 704th Military Police Battalion. Besides his wife he is survived by nieces and nephews in the Ukraine. He was the brother of the late Ksenia Kruk. The funeral service was private. Burial with military honors was in St. John's Ukrainian Church Cemetery, Valley Falls, Cumberland.

Grace M. Theetge - 1/30/2003
Grace M. Theetge, 78, of Ottawa Avenue, died January 30, 2003, at home after an illness. She was the wife of Ernest G. Theetge. They had been married for 57 years. Born in New Grafton, Nova Scotia, a daughter of the late Frank W. and Annie C. (Canning) DelSanto, she had been a Warwick resident since 1972. Mrs. Theetge was a communicant of St. Rita Church and a member of its choir. Besides her husband, she leaves two daughters, Melody Leclerc of North Scituate and Dorothy M. Vespia of Coventry; a son, Berton A. Theetge, and a sister, Dorothy Eden, both of Coventry; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late James W. Bell Sr., Berton and Frank DelSanto and Ruth Callagano. The funeral was held from Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rita Church, Oakland Beach Avenue. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Warwick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Rita Church, 722 Oakland Beach Ave., Warwick, RI 02889 would be appreciated.

Peter T. Schreffler - 2/1/2003
Peter T. Schreffler, 45, of Andrews House, Andrews Avenue, West Warwick, formerly of Warwick, died February 1, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital after an illness. Born in Milford, Mass., a son of the late Edward I. and Joan L. (Kelley) Schreffler, he had lived in Warwick for 32 years before moving to West Warwick six months ago. Mr. Schreffler had been employed in former Mayor Joseph Walsh's office. He was a member of Gateways to Change and the Andrews House and a former member of the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center. He attended Friendship Baptist Bible study and was a 1979 graduate of the Lakewood Special Education School. He leaves two brothers, Michael Schreffler of East Greenwich and Christopher Schreffler of Warwick; six sisters, Theresa Penardo, Diane Nofi, Mary Cartier and Deborah Pisaturo, all of Warwick, and Holly Salhany and Jacqueline Foley, both of West Warwick; his maternal grandmother, Beatrice L. (Rivard) Kelley of Medway, Mass.; 18 nieces and nephews and six grandnieces and grandnephews. The funeral was held from Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Kevin Church, Sandy Lane. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Medway. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Peter Schreffler Memorial Fund, c/o 29 Meadowbrook Rd., East Greenwich, RI 02818 would be appreciated.

Edward C. McGaffigan - 1/31/2003
Edward C. McGaffigan, 79, of Main Ave., a retired thoroughbred horse identifier, died January 31, 2003, at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Jacqueline (Duprey) McGaffigan. Born in Boston, he was a son of the late J. and Mary (McGonagle) McGaffigan. Mr. McGaffigan had been an identifier for the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Foundation for many years before retiring in 1992 and had previously worked as a racing official at the former Lincoln Downs, Narragansett Park and Rockingham Park. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the infantry in North Africa and Europe. He had been a member of the merchant marine for several years after World War II. He enjoyed ballroom dancing and was a fan of the New York Yankees. He leaves a son, Patrick E. McGaffigan of Warwick; two sisters, Eleanor Wehler of Maiden, Mass., and Irene Voumizal of Nashua. NH; and a grandson. He was the brother of the late Patrick McGaffigan and Mary Doherty. The funeral and burial were private.

Anna V. Hesford - 1/31/2003
Anna V. Hesford, 86, formerly of Larkin Avenue, a retired manufacturing inspector, died January 31, 2003, at Brookside Villa Nursing Home, Coventry. She was the wife of the late Orion R. Hesford. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Harry and Petronella Luchka, she had lived in Warwick for 13 years before moving to Kissimmee, Fla., in 1976. She returned to Warwick in 1989. Mrs. Hesford had worked as an inspector for Leviton Manufacturing Co. for 12 years, retiring in 1973. She leaves a son, Robert H. Hesford of West Warwick: a daughter, Joanne O. Langevin in Florida; two brothers, Frank Luchka of Warwick and Stanley Luchka of Johnston; 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. She was the mother of the late Nancy P. Beagan and sister of the late Benjamin and Thomas Luchka. The funeral service was private. Burial was in Moshassuck Cemetery, Central Falls.

Alfred B. Johnson - 1/31/2003
Alfred B. Johnson, 84, formerly of Harrison Avenue, a retired insurance underwriter, died January 31, 2003, at West Shore Health Center. He was the husband of the late Marie E. (Ringland) Johnson. Born in Providence, a son of the late Axel A. and Nellie D. (Sjoren) Johnson, he had lived in Warwick for 55 years. Mr. Johnson had been an underwriter at the Amica Insurance Co., Providence, for 44 years, retiring 23 years ago. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific. He was a graduate of Cranston High School East, Class of 1936. He leaves a daughter, Cheryl A. Crawford of Cranston; his companion, Jeannette Campopiano of Cranston; a granddaughter, Deborah Rapa, and two grandsons, Philip and Christopher Crawford, all of Warwick; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral service was held in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston. Burial was in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick.

Edward T. Geever - 2/1/2003
Edward T. Geever, 86, of Warwick Ave., a retired shipper, died February 1, 2003, in Kent County Memorial Hospital. Born in Providence, a son of the late Thomas P. and Mary (McCaffrey) Geever, he had lived in Providence most of his life, moving to Warwick in 1977. Mr. Geever had worked in the shipping department of the Uniroyal Rubber Co. in Providence for 38 years, retiring in 1974. He was a communicant of St. Timothy Church. He leaves four nieces, Nancy A. Hamel, Sharon J. Houle, Janice L. and Lori J. Reardon; two nephews, Robert T. Priestley and Paul E. Reardon; and eight grandnieces and grandnephews. He was the brother of the late Dorothy E. Reardon, Helen M. Priestly and John J. Geever. The funeral was held from Frank P. Trainor & Sons Funeral Home, 982 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Timothy Church, Warwick Avenue. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Matthew XXV, 791 Potters Ave., Providence, RI 02907 would be appreciated.

Helen F. McGarry - 1/31/2003
Helen F. McGarry, 90, formerly of Greenwich Avenue, a retired teacher, died January 31, 2003, at Sunnyview Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late William A. McGarry. Born in Apponaug, a daughter of the late Patrick J. and Susan (McGuiness) McMahon, she was a lifelong resident of the city. Mrs. McGarry was a teacher in the Warwick public schools for 20 years before retiring because of illness in 1960. She had taught history at Lockwood High School during World War II and later taught elementary school. She had served on the building committees for the construction of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and Lippitt School. Mrs. McGarry was a 1934 graduate of Rhode Island College of Education. She leaves a son, Smithfield Police Chief William A. McGarry of North Kingstown; a daughter, Susan McGarry, and a sister, Elizabeth McMahon, both of Warwick; and two grandsons, Matthew M. McGarry and Ryan P. McGarry. She was the sister of the late Mary, James, Francis, Josephine and Ann McMahon. The funeral was held from Peter J. Barrett Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Catherine Church, 3252 Post Rd., Apponaug. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Mary "Peanut" Montella - 2/2/2003
Mary "Peanut" Montella, 77, of Hazard Avenue, formerly of Johnston and Providence, a retired assembler, died February 2, 2003, at the home of her sister, Evelyn Carlino, who lives on Rachela Street, Johnston. Born in Cranston, a daughter of the late Antonio and Teresa (Iafrate) Montella, she had lived on Hazard Avenue for 14 years. Miss Montella had worked as an assembler for the Diamond Paper Box Co., Providence, for 40 years, retiring in 1988. She enjoyed traveling and bingo. Besides her sister in Johnston, she leaves another sister, Margaret DiLorenzo of Cranston; a brother, Anthony Montella of Vergas, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Rita Church, Oakland Beach Avenue. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Groceria, 722 Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886-6433.