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Mary Rodway
Mary Patricia (Flahive) Rodway, who died at age 67, was the daughter of the late John and Roseanne (O’Rourke) Flahive. She was the wife of John William Rodway and a communicant of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth. Besides her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Rosemary Ellen Warrener of Warwick, RI, two brothers, Joseph Flahive of Somerville, MA and Michael Flahive of Norwood, MA, one sister, Virginia Cline of Jamaica Plain, MA, and two grandsons, Christopher R. Warrener of Warwick, RI, and Sean P. Warrener of Warwick, RI. She was the sister of the late John Flahive.
Mrs. Rodway died March 14 at Miriam Hospital in Providence.
Elizabeth Hawthorne
Elizabeth M. (DeFriend) Hawthorne, who died at age 93, was a member of Channing Memorial Church, the Newport Art Museum, and the Norman Bird Sanctuary.
Born in Alexandria Bay, NY, on August 19, 1907, she was the daughter of the late James E. DeFriend and the late Emma (Bigness) DeFriend. She graduated from Watertown, NY High School.
Mrs. Hawthorne was the wife of Robert M. Hawthorne. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three grandsons, David Hawthorne of Boston, Christopher Hawthorne of Los Angeles, and Kelvin Hawthorne of Munich, Germany, and a granddaughter, Margaret Doty of Pelham, NY, two great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Hawthorne, Jr. and her brother, Joseph DeFriend. Mrs. Hawthorne died on March 13 at John Clark Nursing Center in Middletown.
Margaret Rogers
Margaret B. Rogers, who died at age 99, was the wife of the late William N. Rogers, four-term U.S. Congressman from New Hampshire, who practiced law in Concord for many years. Rogers, a registered nurse specializing in anesthesiology, worked in Rochester, NH, and Portland, Maine, completing her nursing career at North Yarmouth Academy. She served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross and was a long time member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland. During her retirement she became an avid bridge player and enjoyed gardening.
Born in Caledonia, Nova Scotia, Mrs. Rogers was the daughter of Hugh and Katherine Hattie. She leaves two sons. The Reverend John S. Rogers of Portsmouth and W. Brooks Rogers of New York City; three grandchildren and three great grandsons.
Mrs. Rogers died Friday, March 16 at Metacom Manor in Bristol. A memorial service will be held in May at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sanbornville, NH.
Lillian Machado
Lillian C. Machado, who died at age 81, worked as a salesperson for Maas Department Store in Tampa, Fl. for forty-six years retiring in 1990. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Tampa and a member of the AAA Travel Club. Ms. Machado enjoyed traveling "around the world," she was also a gourmet cook.
Born in Fall River on July 16, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John B. Machado and Annie (Ferreira) Machado. She is survived by one sister, Anne Machado of Tampa, and one nephew, Paul Reis, of Middletown. Ms. Machado was the sister of the late Mary Reis.
Ms. Machado died on March 16 in Tampa.
Daniel Collier
Daniel Collier, who died at age 44, worked as a boat builder for Pearson Yachts. Mr. Collier also worked for Secret Garden Landscaping of Jamestown and enjoyed guitar and harmonica music.
Born in Gary, IN, he was the son of Denton Collier of San Diego, CA, and Maureen (McVeigh) Collier of Newport. Mr. Collier moved to the Newport area when he was 24.
He is survived by one daughter, Kerra Anne Collier of Newport, four brothers, Brian Grednuk of Newport, Michael Collier, Thomas Collier, and Edward Collier all of San Diego, and three nephews. He was the brother of the late Eileen Collier.
Mr. Collier died on March 14 at his home in Newport.
Joseph Pelletier
A. Joseph Pelletier, 90, of Newport, died Friday, March 23 at the Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. Mr. Pelletier was the husband of the late Mary L. (Drouge) Pelletier and is commonly remembered as the electrician who flew the flag every day at his home on Admiral Kalbfus Rd.
Born in Fall River, MA, Mr. Pelletier came from a family of fourteen and left school at an early age to help support the family. His life’s work began by delivering milk in Fall River for Queen Street Dairy, the family business. He moved over to electrical work, working during the day for his brother at Amie Pelletier Electrical Contracting and studying at night for his journeyman electrician’s license, then earning his master electrician’s license. For many years he held both licenses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He also worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut.
In the mid 1930s Mr. Pelletier worked for Fall River Electric Light and then moved on to Newport Electric. In 1938 he and his wife moved to Newport and lived on Old Fort Road. They were "Fifth Warders" until they moved to Admiral Kalbfus Road in 1947.
At Newport Electric, he worked in the power generating station on Thames St. where the International Yacht Restoration School is located today. During the month of September 1938 he witnessed the rising waters in Newport harbor as the Great Hurricane’s tidal wave struck the area. He along with others, spent many days restoring power to the island from equipment that had gone under water.
During World War II, he was kept on the "home front" to ensure electric power for the Navy base, the Naval Torpedo Station and Fort Adams, which was an active defense position (243rd Coast Artillery). During the war he volunteered his time to install air raid sirens around the city, which were wired back to the old police station at Market Square where they could be activated.
At the Newport Electric Power Station he was a master electrician, handling high voltage wiring, troubleshooting and mechanical generator work. He worked with both power and light and was elevated to chief electrician, retiring in 1972.
Mr. Pelletier was a member of St. Lucy’s Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He is survived by his three sons, Brian C. Pelletier of Newport, Peter A. Pelletier of Norwell, MA, and Philip F. Pelletier of Portsmouth, a sister, Lorraine Frain of Somerset, MA and four grandchildren, Jonathan Pelletier of Newport, Sarah Pelletier of Newport, Alexis Pelletier of Boston and Amy Pelletier of Somerville, MA.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 a.m., from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. in St. Lucy’s Church, 909 West Main Rd., Burial will take place in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River, MA Donations may be made to the General Rosecrans Assembly, 4th Degree, Knights of Columbus.
Robert Reimer, Jr.
Robert E. Reimer Jr., retired physical education teacher, coach and professional baseball scout, died March 24 at Newport Hospital. He is the husband of Sarah King Reimer.
Born in New Britain, CT, he was the son of the late Robert and Emma Reinas Reimer of New Britain.
Mr. Reimer, who taught physical education in the Newport public schools from 1954 to 1962, introduced soccer to the Middletown schools during the 1960s. He retired in 1986.
Mr. Reimer, a veteran of World War II, served as chief specialist physical training instructor. After the war, Mr. Reimer received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees, both from the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Reimer was a professional baseball umpire, and during the 1960s and 1970s he was a scout for the Montreal Expos and the Milwaukee Brewers.
From 1956 through 1970, Mr. Reimer stage-managed the Newport Jazz, Newport Folk and Newport Opera festivals. He was a member of the Newport County Retired Teachers Association, the Redwood Library, and the Lions Club, and sang in the choir of Trinity Episcopal Church for over 30 years.
Besides his wife of 53 years, he leaves a son, Robert E. Reimer III of Newport, a daughter, Pamela R. Alexander of Middletown, a brother, Donald W. Reimer of Dunedin, FL, a sister, Eleanor R. Harris of Windsor, CT, seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held on March 30, with a burial service at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Church. Burial with Military Honors will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to Trinity Church, Newport or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Helen Cordeiro
Helen Clark (Kennedy) Cordeiro, who died at age 68, attended the Newport Hospital School of Nursing. She had operated a private kindergarten for ten years and managed Newport and 2nd Beach concessions from 1974 to 1984.
She is survived by two sons, Michael E. Cordeiro of Portsmouth and Kenneth J. Cordeiro of Middletown, one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Cordeiro of Middletown, one grandson, David Cordeiro of Portsmouth, and one granddaughter, Grace Cordeiro of Portsmouth. She was the wife of Emery Cordeiro and the sister of the late Alec Kennedy and William Kennedy.
Ms. Cordeiro died on March 19 at her home in Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Potter League.
Sara Simmons
Sara A. (Kirchner) Simmons, who died at age 66, was part owner, with her daughter, of SOS Arrangements Flower Shop in Warwick. An avid gardener, she was born in the Bronx, NY, the daughter of the late John and Ruth (Reid) Kirchner. Ms. Simmons, formerly of Middletown, leaves a daughter, Sandra L. Coelho of Warwick, a sister, Ruth O’Connor of Middletown, three nieces and a nephew. She was also the sister of the late John Kirchner. She died on March 20 at her home in Warwick.
Earl Rogers
Earl T. Rogers, who died at age 68, worked for Newport Electric Corp. Born in Mine Larnotte, MO, he was the son of Blanche (Barker) Rogers of Fredericktown, MO and the late William Rogers. Mr. Rogers worked at Sears in Middletown, then owned the Roger Williams Carpet Store in Newport until he joined the Newport Electric Corporation, retiring in 1996.
Mr. Rogers, a member of the Newport Lodge of Elks, was named Elk of theYear in 1982. He was a member of the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club. He is survived by his wife, Betty (Esposito) Rogers of Newport, his mother, Blanche Pogue of Fredericktown, MO, a son, Thomas Rogers of Hawaii, two daughters, Susan Perry of Middletown and Leslie Kane of Newport, a brother, Robert Pogue of Fredericktown, two sisters, Marsha Hufford of Fredericktown and Judy Hart of Leewood, KS, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Rogers died on March 26 at Newport Hospital. His funeral will be held on Friday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. in Memorial Funeral Home.
Muriel Anthony
Muriel C.P. (Pierce) Anthony, died at age 89, the wife of the late Warren W. Anthony and the daughter of the late Howard and Zoe (Clarke) Pierce.
Mrs. Anthony was a lifelong resident of Portsmouth. While her father, the Portsmouth town clerk, was on active duty in World War II, Mrs. Anthony served in his stead as deputy. A member of St. Paul’s Church, Mrs. Anthony helped found the Portsmouth Historical Society and was responsible for donating the development rights for 15 acres of land in Portsmouth to the Aquidneck Island Land Trust.
Mrs. Anthony is survived by one daughter, Edythe Anthony of Greenville, RI. She died on March 24 at the Grand Islander Center in Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Robert Potter League for Animals.
Joseph O’Leary
Joseph M. O’Leary, who died at age 80, served in the Navy for over 30 years, retiring in 1974 as HMCS. Born in Somerville, MA, Mr. O’Leary was the son of the late Thomas Joseph and Mary Ellen (Kneeland) O’Leary. He was the husband of the late Alice (Moore) O’Leary, and is survived by two sons, Richard O’Leary of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Joseph Patrick O’Leary of Corpus Christi, TX, one daughter, Kathy Overbee of Fayetteville, NC, four sisters, Mary Foley of Winthrop, MA, Kathleen O’Leary of IN, Helen Letourneau of Chicago, IL and Virginia Gill of Scituate, MA, and seven grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late Margaret Flynn, Thomas O’Leary and John O’Leary.
Mr. O’Leary died on March 26 at the Elihu-White Nursing Home in Braintree, MA. Funeral services will be held on March 30 at 8:00 a.m. from the Memorial Funeral Home in Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. in St. Lucy’s Church in Middletown. Burial will take place in St. Columba’s Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
Clifton Morrel
Clifton Morrel, who died at age 73, was a meat cutter for New England Poultry of Fall River, Public Market of Fall River and for Stop and Shop in Fall River, Somerset, MA, and Middletown for 47 years, retiring in 1990. Mr. Morrel was born in Fall River, MA and was the son of the late John and Esther (Covel) Morrel. Mr. Morrel was a Merchant Marine and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict, and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. He then joined the Army Reserves and served until his retirement in 1988. Mr. Morrel earned his black belt 2nd degree in Tai Quon Do, Karate and Judo. He was an avid gardener and hunter and enjoyed carpentry and woodworking.
Mr. Morrel is survived by his wife, Charlotte (Gagnon) Morrel of Portsmouth, two sons, Clifton Morrel Jr. of Fall River, and Rene Morrel, US Army Sgt., of Portsmouth, three daughters, Winona Crow of Newport, Shanoa Haynes of Alexis, NC, and Priscilla Morrel of Portsmouth, and nine grandchildren.
Mr. Morrel died on March 28 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Providence.
M. Carol Smith
M. Carol (Johnson) Smith, who died at age 94, was a member of St. George’s Church in Newport and a resident of Newport and Middletown. Mrs. Smith was born in Braintree, MA to the late Charles O. and Annie (Gauld) Johnson. She had been involved with the Girl Scouts of America, having served as a leader and Director of the Rocky Farm Girls Scout Camp of Newport for several years. She had arranged a trip to Europe for 15 scouts which involved forming a new troop. She was an accomplished pianist and had played for the Lion’s Club Gas Light Key Club and the Armed Forces YMCA.
Mrs. Smith was the wife of the late Frederick J. Smith. She is survived by one son, Arthur F. Smith of Middletown, one daughter, Carol Ann Boyes of Rockville, MD, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Arthur Johnson, Elmer Johnson and Thelma Jacoby. Mrs. Smith died on March 28 at the Forest Farm Health Care Center in Middletown.
Katherine McManus
Katherine Nevins McManus, who died at age 76, was a member of the Middletown Historical Society and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels programs.
Mrs. McManus was born in Newport to the late Joseph G. Nevins and Catherine (Dwyer) Nevins. She worked for the Division of Human Rights in Rochester and Buffalo, NY as a case investigator for twelve years. Prior to her retirement in 1985, she had been the area director for the Girl Scouts in Binghamton, NY, for twelve years. Mrs. McManus returned to Newport in 1985. She was a member of the Cribbage Club at the Edward King Senior Citizens Center.
Mrs. McManus was the wife of the late David W. McManus. She is survived by one daughter, Katherine D. McManus of McLean, VA, five sons, David F. McManus of Littleton, CO, Joseph G. McManus of Portsmouth, VA, William J. McManus of Lincoln, RI, Michael J. McManus of Westminster, CO, and Alexander R. McManus of Newport, and 12 grandchildren. Mrs. McManus was the sister of the late Joseph G. Nevins.
Mrs. McManus died on March 26 at Village Nursing Center in Newport. Donations may be made in her memory to the Middletown Historical Society.
Charles Nicholas Mamakos
of Newport, who died at age 87, was the husband of the late Diane (Kutsaftis) Mamakos. He is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Swanson of College Station, TX, one brother, Mike Mamakos of Brooklyn, NY, two sisters, Penelope Rokis of Union, NJ, and Joanna Sarellis of Mytilene, Greece, one grandson, Mark Swanson of Houston, TX and one granddaughter, Dianne Collier of Houston, TX. He was also the brother of the late Persephone Patrellis.
His funeral will be held on Thursday, April 19 at 10 a.m. from the Memorial Funeral Home in Newport followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. in St. Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames St., Newport. Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Unit of Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties or to St. Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church.
Emily D. (Almeida) Roque
(née Almeida) of Middletown, who died at age 89, was the wife of Joseph W. Roque. Mr. and Mrs. Roque celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary April 7, 2001.Besides her husband, Mrs. Roque is survived by a daughter, Ann E. Paschoal of Middletown, one grandson, Stephen Paschoal of Atlanta, GA, many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Service of Newport and Bristol Counties.
Dorothy Bartlem Bickerstaff
(née Negus) of Newport, who died at age 94, was the wife of the late Alger F. Bickerstaff and is survived by a son, Alger Bickerstaff of Highland Mills, NY, a daughter, Marion Bickerstaff of Springfield, MA, nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She was also the mother of the late Bertha Mathinos.
Joseph Peter Roggero
of Middletown, who died at age 82, is survived by his wife Bertha (Desjardins) Roggero, two sons, Paul J. Roggero of Jupiter, FL, Joseph P. Roggero, Jr. of Middletown, a daughter, Judith A. Simons of Somerset, MA, three brothers, Harry Roggero and Vincent Roggero of Middletown, Marcello Roggero of Taunton and four grandchildren. He was also the father of the late William Roggero and Peter Jr. Roggero and brother of the late Frank Roggero and Mary Dutra. His funeral will be held Thursday, April 19 at 8 a.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Lucy’s Church in Middletown. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.
Arthur William Smith
of Newport, who died at age 52, is survived by one sister, Sharon Turner of Portsmouth, one brother, James V. Smith of Tiverton, two nieces, two nephews, three aunts and several cousins. His funeral will be held Thursday, April 19 at 9 a.m. from the Connors Funeral Home in Portsmouth, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony’s Church in Portsmouth. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 143 Main Street, Wakefield, RI.
Melpomene "Mabel" Alexander
(née Fotelis) of Newport, who died at age 88, was the wife of the late George G. Alexander. She is survived by one son, Gregory G. Alexander of Townsend, DE, one daughter, Irene C. Damaskos of Newport, one sister, Elizabeth Patterson of San Antonio, TX, six grandchildren, one great grandson, five nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was also the sister of the late Nicholas Fotelis and Aphrodite Sarellis. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Spyridon Philoptochos Society Scholarship Fund.
MaryAnn B. Amrose
(née Castora) of Newport, who died at age 64, was the wife of the late Lt. Cdr. Lawrence A. Amrose, USN. She is survived by one son, Lawrence M. Amrose of Tempe, AZ, two brothers Phillip J. Castora of Los Angeles and David L. Castora of Claysville, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 20 at 9 a.m. in the Chapel of Hope, NETC Newport. Burial will take place on Wednesday, April 25 at 10 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Memorial donations may be made to the Order of St. Joseph of Cluny in Newport.
Edith "Kay" Helgesen
of Newport, who died at age 82, was the daughter of the late Fred and Hilda A. (Herbert) Helgesen and is survived by many cousins in Nova Scotia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. in the Hambly Funeral Home in Newport. Burial will be private.
Margaret White
Margaret C. "Maggie" (Martins) White, who died at age 79, worked as a presser at the US Naval Exchange for twenty years, retiring in 1974. During World War II, Mrs. White worked as a recruter at the former Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island, Newport, and was known as "Maggie the Riviter." She was a communicant of St. Lucy’s Church in Middletown and enjoyed playing Yahtzee and Canasta with her family. Mrs. White was born in Newport and was the daughter of the late John I. and Margaret (Harrington) Martins.
Mrs. White was the wife of the late Joseph "Pops" White. She is survived by one son, John White of Middletown, one daughter, Kathleen Lima of Middletown, one sister, Mary C. Donovan of Newport and two grandsons, Brian Lima of San Diego, and Thomas Lima of Middletown, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Joseph Martins, John I. Martins, William I. Martins, Frederick Martins, Peter Martins, Paul Martins, Dorothy OConnell and Philomenia T. Coover.
Mrs. White died on April 8 at her home in Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties.
Joan Gavic
Joan Marie (Feury) Gavic, who died at age 75, worked in the accounting department of Newport Hospital for 24 years from 1965 to 1989, retiring as the supervisor of the accounts payable department. She was named Employee of the Year in 1987. Upon her retirement, Mrs. Gavic dedicated herself to hospital volunteer activities. Her main activity was in the Volunteer Office where her organizational skills, along with her knowledge and friendly manner, were invaluable. She served a total of 14,000 hours, volunteering until the time of her illness. She was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1992.
Mrs. Gavic was also a vital member of the Newport Hospital Auxiliary, assisting in many of its projects. She shared her knowledge of finances, serving for several years as a member of the Finance Committee and remained as an advisor to the Committee. Mrs. Gavic served two terms as Director, was co-president from 1992 to 1994 and was presented with the Auxilian of the Year Award in 1995.
Mrs. Gavic was born in Portland, Maine to the late Augustin P. and Ann P. (O’Connell) Feury. She was a graduate of Portland High School, Class of 1943, and was a resident of Newport since 1956.
Mrs. Gavic was the wife of the late Harvey M. Gavic. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia A. Leonard and her husband Jeffrey of Holliston, MA, and Joanne M. Vienne and her husband Jean-Michel of Newport, grandson Jeffrey Carl Leonard and his wife Angelita of Milford, MA, grandson Daniel J. Leonard of Jacksonville, FL, grandson Nicolas A. Vienne of Newport, great-granddaughter Victoria E. Leonard of Milford, MA, and great-granddaughter Maria P. Leonard of Milton, MA.
Mrs. Gavic died on April 9 at the Village House Convalescent Home in Newport.
Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Newport Hospital Auxiliary or to the Robert Potter League for Animals.
Mary Corey
Mary Agnes (Paiva) Corey, who died at age 86, was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth and a member of the Catholic Womens Club. Mrs. Corey was known to sew small stuffed animals as a hobby and was a member of TOPS. She also assisted with housekeeping for several families in the Aquidneck Island area, including the Rev. George Chaplin family, the Rev. Gordon Stenning family, Gilbert and Maria Richardson, Dr. Dunn and the Harlow family.
Mrs. Corey was born in Fall River to the late Manuel and Maria Philomena (Resendes) Paiva. She was the wife of the late Manuel W. "Red" Corey. Mrs. Corey is survived by two sons, Robert N. Corey and wife Madeline (Elshant) Corey of San Diego, CA, and George T. Corey and his wife Marie (Simmons) Corey of Portsmouth, one sister, Hilda Carvahlo of Swansea, and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was also the sister of the late Joseph Paiva, Manuel Paiva, George Paiva, Alexander Paiva, John Paiva, Mary Roque and Alice DaSilva.
Mrs. Corey died on April 2 at her home in Portsmouth.
Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport & Bristol Counties.
Avery Seaman
‘top sailor among sailors’
Avery Seaman at the Newport County Club in 1996
Longtime Middletown resident and "a top sailor among sailors" Avery Seaman, 77, died at his home in Ocala, Florida on April 11. He was the former president of Corp Brothers, organizer of the 1976 Tall Ships and Commodore of the Cruising Club of America from 1990 to 1991.
Born in Providence, Mr. Seaman developed an early love of boats from his parents, the late David S. and Elizabeth Sweet Seaman. According to long-time friend, Pierre Irving, an executive committee of the Preservation Society of Newport, Mr. Avery had a penchant for sailing on every scale. In the early 1960s the Irving and Seaman families vacationed together at a small lake in Dublin, New Hampshire. "The lake had a very small sailing club and Avery bought a Dublin lake boat that he completely refinished. He stripped it and varnished the whole boat." He became commodore of the Dublin Sailing Club when he was in his early 40s. "I was only 12 when I spent the summer at the lake, Avery influenced me. Through the years he was always very supportive of my sailing endeavors," said Irving.
Mr. Seaman volunteered to help organize the Tall Ships arrival in Newport for the bicentennial in 1976. Along with Vice Admiral Thomas Weschler who had just retired from the Navy and moved to Middletown, Mr. Seaman was tasked with coordinating anchorage for the ships. "There wasn’t enough pier space for the ships in Newport Harbor, so Avery was very effective in getting moorings that the Navy had used for mine nets. It was a real logistics feat, but Avery did it skillfully." Vice Admiral Weschler added, "Avery was the kind of person you’d enjoy standing a long watch with. He was a great help to me as I began organizing the Tall Ships 2000 in Newport."
In the late 1970s Mr. Seaman bought Boothden, former residence of John Wilkes Booth’s brother, on Indian Avenue in Middletown. A craftsman, Mr. Seaman, set about restoring the house as well as an old barn that was on the property that he converted to a workshop. "He loved to build things with his hands," according to Mr. Irving. "Avery always had a project going and a group of people helping him. He was a great motivator."
An avid sailor, Mr. Seaman raced his Cal 40 "Conquest" in Narragansett Bay and throughout the Northeast. He completed more than 15 Newport-to-Bermuda races and 4 transatlantic crossings. In 1990 he became commodore of the Cruising Club of America, a private club with a membership of 1,100 top sailors among sailors. He was a former board member of the New York Yacht Club, former commodore and honorary member of the 2000 Club, past president of the Narragansett Boat Club, past president of the Brown University Rowing Association and a member of the East Greenwich Yacht Club.
Trudy Coxe, former executive director of Save the Bay said of Avery Seaman, "He is one of my angels because when Save the Bay was young, he, as a true believer and a respected business owner and civic leader, had enough juice to recruit other business leaders into helping the clean up of Narragansett Bay. As such, he headed the first corporate campaign for Save the Bay and his success changed the dynamics of the organization." On a personal note, she adds, "He was a real gentleman, full of heart, and always caring."
Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Seaman was a graduate of Exeter Academy and Yale University and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a past president of the National Welding Supply Association and a co-founder of the Providence Chapter of the American Welding Supply. He was past president of the Agawam Hunt Club and the Yale Club of Rhode Island and was a member of the Newport Reading Room, Spouting Rock Beach Association, Newport Clambake Club, Hope Club and Newport Country Club. He was active with the Narragansett Chapter of the Boy Scouts and a member of St. Martin’s Church in Providence and St. Columba’s Chapel of middletown.
He was the husband of Eleanor (Kritzer) Seaman. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Pamela Jean Seaman of Chicago, two sons, John Scott Seaman of Brookline, MA, and Avery "Whip" Seaman, Jr. of Portsmouth, and three grandchildren. He was the brother of the late David Sands Seaman, Jr.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 19 at 11 a.m. in St. Martin’s Church on Orchard Avenue in Providence.
Paula Dolores Finn
who died on April 25 at the Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown, was the senior docent and assistant museum curator at Belcourt Castle. Miss Finn was a graduate of Rogers High School, class of 1962, and Roger Williams College, class of 1978. She had also attended Salve Regina College.
She was the daughter of the late Thomas J. Finn and Rose D. (Perry) Finn. She is survived by a sister Denice Marie Burgess of Newport and 3 nieces. Her funeral was held Saturday, April 28 with a burial at Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of Rhode Island or the American Heart Association.
Mignon M. Estes
99, who died on April 29, 2001 at the Forest Farm Health Care Center, was a registered nurse who worked at Newport Hospital and also New York City General. Mrs. Estes, born in Jamaica, was the daughter of the late John Elliott McCrea and Helena (Favors) McCrea and the wife of the late Nathan Anthony Estes.
Mrs. Estes is survived by one sister Elaine Perkins of Arizona, one grandson Dr. Mark A. Estes III of Weston, MA and five granddaughters, Nancy Pollock of Weston, MA, Jane Bentley of Jamestown, Karen Estes of North Kingstown, Mary Bakios of Cranberry, PA, and Ann Estes of Glen Ellen, CA. A memorial service will be held at a time to be announced in the future.
Donations in her memory may be made to Trinity Church, Newport.
