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Charles Whitehouse
Charles S. Whitehouse, 79, a longtime Newport summer resident and father of Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse, died Monday, June 25, at home in Marshall, Va., after a battle with cancer. He was the husband of Janet K. Grayson Whitehouse.
A diplomat and veteran of World War II and Vietnam, Whitehouse was born in Paris and spent most of his youth in Europe and South America while his father served with the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. State Department.
After two years at Yale University, Whitehouse left to join the Navy during World War II, eventually transferring to the Marine Corps to become a dive-bomber. His service in the Pacific zone earned him 28 medals of recognition. Whitehouse returned to Yale University at the close of the war and was a roommate of the late Senator John Chafee.
Following his graduation, Whitehouse joined the Central Intelligence Agency and went to work for the Department of State in 1956. He would later serve two tours of duty in Vietnam and was an integral part of the national delegation to peace talks in Paris. In 1972 he was appointed U.S. ambassador to Laos and later to Thailand.
He retired in 1978 but later served a two-year stint as the Defense Department’s First Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Density Conflict at the Pentagon.
Throughout his lifetime, Whitehouse served as president of the American Foreign Service Association, chair of Lycee Rochambeau, chair of the Piedmont Environmental Council and joint master of the Orange County Hunt. He was also a member of the Spouting Rock Beach Association, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the Newport Golf Club and Trinity Church.
Besides his wife and son, he is survived by stepsons William C. Grayson and George Grayson, both of Washington, D.C.; stepdaughter Katherine Grayson Wilkins of Washington, D.C.; aunt and uncle Norman and Tamara Whitehouse of Newport; five grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late George Whitehouse.
The funeral was held June 30 in The Plains, Va. Donations in his memory may be made to the Piedmont Environmental Council, P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188.
Clarkson Potter
Clarkson Nott Potter, 73, of 5 Westwood Road in Jamestown, died at his home Sunday, July 1, of a heart attack. Potter was the husband of Helga (Maass) Potter. Born in Mendham, NJ May 17, 1928, he was the son of the late John Howard Nott and Margaretta (Wood) Potter. He attended St. Michael’s Country Day School and graduated from St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Del. He received his bachelor’s degree from Union College. From 1950 to 1957, he worked for Doubleday & Co. in New York City. From 1957 to 1959, he worked at Dial Press in New York City as a senior editor, advertising manager and managing editor. He founded Clarkson N. Potter Inc. in 1959, and served as the company’s editor-in-chief until 1976. From 1976 to 1980, he was president of The Brandywine Press in New York City. Following his retirement in 1980, Potter continued to work as a literary agent and publishing consultant. In addition, from 1979 to 1986, he taught publishing and writing at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. In 1964, he donated a 21-acre salt marsh near the Jamestown Salt Marsh Refuge to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Besides his wife, he is survived by sons Howard Alonzo Potter of Weston, Conn., Edward Eliphalet Potter of Bedford, N.Y. and Jack Rohe Howard-Potter of New York City; daughters, Christian (Potter) Drury of Litchfield, Conn. and Margaretta "Pegge" (Potter) Patterson; brother Spencer Wood Potter of Boston, Mass.; sisters Elisabeth (Potter) Kruesi of Bernardsville, N.J. and Virginia Held of New York City; and six grandchildren. The funeral was held July 2 at the St. Columba Episcopal Chapel in Middletown. Burial was in St. Columba Cemetery Chapel in Middletown.
Alice DeMonbrun
Alice Mary DeMonbrun, 81, of 273 Clarendon St. in Boston, formerly of Newport and New York City, died Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Dorchester, Mass. Born in Newport Aug. 21, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Rose (O’Brien) DeMonbrun. She had worked as a nursery aide in New York City for 20 years, retiring in 1992. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Newport and also a member of the Salvation Army Women’s Home League. She is survived by her son, Carl DeMonbrun of Austin, Texas and a sister, Agnes DeMonbrun of Newport. She was the sister of the late Thomas DeMonbrun, Rose Harper Gibbs and Mary DeMonbrun. Her funeral service was held at St. Columba Chapel in Middletown and burial was in St. Columba Cemetery, also in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army Home League, Memorial Boulevard, Newport, RI 02840.
Lucille Huston
Lucille Levine Huston, 72, of 53 Toppa Blvd. in Newport, formerly of 2 Summer St. in Newport, died Saturday, June 30, 2001 at home. She was the wife of James I. Huston. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. June 27, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Rose (unknown) Levine. She grew up in Oyster Bay, Long Island. After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, she graduated from the university’s law school with honors. At the law school, she met her husband and they married Aug. 14, 1951. Huston’s professional career was spent in Cleveland, Ohio as a trial attorney with several law firms and then in the legal department of National City Bank, the largest bank in Ohio. She became the first women to achieve the office of vice president at that bank. Huston and her husband retired from active practice in 1986 and moved to Newport, a place they and their children had visited often and loved. She is survived by her husband, sons Daniel S. Huston of Portsmouth and Joseph W. Huston of Newport, daughter Meg Huston of Santa Fe, N.M., granddaughters Audrey Huston of Santa Fe and Karen Stowe of Portsmouth and sister Jessica Forster of Delray Beach, Fla. She was the mother of the late Paul Huston. Funeral services and burial were private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, R.I. Chapter, 400 Main St., Pawtucket RI 02860.
Joseph Thomas Joseph
Joseph Thomas Joseph, 85, of 2 Fagan Court in Middletown, died Monday, July 2, 2001 at home. Born in Boston, Mass. Dec. 30, 1915, he was the son of Thomas and Lillian (Kurey) Joseph. He was a teacher with the Middletown School Department. Joseph graduated from Quincy High School in 1934 and received degrees in science and education from Boston College in 1940. He also attended Providence College, Rhode Island College and Salve Regina College. He later earned a master’s degree from Bridgewater State Teachers College in 1954. He joined the Middletown School Department as a history teacher, where he taught for more than 32 years. Joseph was a member of the Rhode Island Retired Teachers Association, the Middletown Retired Teachers Association, the Boston College Alumni Board and the Sons of Lebanon of Quincy, Mass. Joseph was an accomplished trumpeter and played and sang with the John Moitoza Band and the Newport Concert Band. He is survived by daughters Nora Joseph and Sandra Joseph, both of California, cousin Marguerite Asack of Brockton, Mass., uncle John Kurey of Brockton, Mass., aunts Ruth VonKelsch of Wellesly, Mass. and Camella Windress of Tucson, Ariz. and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held July 9 at Our Lady of Cedars Church in Jamaica Plains, Mass. and burial was in Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury, Mass. Donations in his memory may be made to the Middletown High School Athletic Department, Valley Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
Edwin Wilmont Connelly
Edwin Wilmont Connelly, 74, of North Main Road in Jamestown, died Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of the late Beverly C. Connelly. Born in Philadelphia Nov. 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Edwin and Josephine (Varkulawitz) Connelly. He served five years in the U.S. Army and was gallery director of the Friends Neighborhood Guild in Philadelphia. He moved to Newport in 1958 and taught art classes at the Burnham by the Sea School, the Newport School, the Miramar School and Wabash College in Indiana. He was active in historic preservation, which included the restoration and documentation of the Common Burial Ground in Newport, the Rhode Island Commission to Honor the Nation’s Bicentennial at the Colony House, the establishment of Brenton Point State Park and the founding of what is now the Fort Adams Trust. Connelly worked for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, where he documented more than 2,000 historical burial grounds in the state. As the first cemeteries director for the state, he oversaw work at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, the completion of the chapel and several war memorial monuments. In 1985, he moved to Jamestown and continued working with the Fort Adams Trust following his retirement. He was chair of the commission that developed the Veterans’ Memorial Park and began the development of the Conanicut Battery National Historic Park. Connelly was a member of the Jamestown Memorial Post 9447 Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Jamestown Historical Society, Newport Historical Society, Conanicut Island Art Association and the Redwood Library. He was a communicant of St. Mark Church. He is survived by sister Mary Miscierewicz of New Jersey; sons Justin F. Connelly of California, Joseph P. Connelly of West Kingston, Edwin W. Connelly III of Newport and Michael A. Connelly of Wakefield; daughter JoAnne M. Tantimonico of Middletown; and seven grandchildren. A Mass of Christian burial was held July 9 at St. Mark Church in Jamestown and burial was private. Donations in Connelly’s memory may be made to Friends of Conanicut Battery, PO Box 156, Jamestown, RI 02835.
Paul Lukas, 49, Hibernian
Paul R. Lukas, 49, of 18 Carroll Ave. in Newport died Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at Newport Hospital.
He was the husband of Jody (Naples) Lukas.
Born in Hartford, Conn. July 17, 1951, he was the son of the late John Lukas and Patricia (Godfrey) Lukas.
He worked as a security guard with Veterans Affairs in Boston, Mass. and was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians No. 1 in Newport.
He is survived by his wife, son Shane Paul Lukas of Boston, Mass., brothers John Lukas of Yulee, Fla. and William Lukas of New York City, sister Maureen Reardon of Shrewsbury, Mass. and several nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held in Hartford, Conn. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, New England affiliate, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688.
Marion Margaret Carstens
(born Eadie), 84, of Forest Farm Healthcare Center in Middletown, died July 5 at Forest Farm Healthcare Center. She was the wife of the late Everett A. Clarkson, who died in 1976, and the late Aldor J. Carstens, who died in 1991. Born in Newport May 6, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret (Gerrie) Eadie. A lifelong Aquidneck Island resident, she lived on Eadie Street in Newport until 1966, on Rob Road in Portsmouth until 1996 and in Middletown until her death. She was a 1934 Rogers High School graduate, member of the National Honor Society and a graduate of Bryant College in 1936. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newport and the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, the Retired Federal Employees Association and the AARP. Carstens retired from the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Newport as a department head secretary in 1970. She had been employed by the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C. and the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport. She is survived by granddaughter Jill Clarkson Mutty of Springfield, Va., grandson Brian Thomas Mutty of Monterey, Calif., son-in-law John E. Mutty of Carmel, Calif. and great-grandchildren Zachary Thomas Mutty and Nathan William Mutty of Monterey, Calif. She was the mother of the late Janice Eadie Clarkson Mutty, who died of breast cancer in 1990. Her funeral was held July 13 at the First Presbyterian Church in Newport. Burial was in Island Cemetery Annex in Newport. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 400 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Maude Kathleen Hamilton
(born Kenney), 87, of 47 Walnut St. in Portsmouth died Friday, July 13, 2001 at Newport Hospital. She was the wife of the late Albert Joseph Hamilton. Born in Pawtucket Sept. 11, 1913, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Maude (Helm) Kenney. She worked as a proof reader and bindery worker for her son’s business, Hamilton Printing of Portsmouth, for 15 years, retiring in 1985. She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a past member of the Catholic Women’s Club. Hamilton is survived by her son Robert Hamilton of Portsmouth; daughter Janice A. Vallevona of Cumberland; sisters Edna Richards of Warwick, Rita Kenney of Lincoln and Edna Mae Cole of Buena Vista, Calif.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was the sister of the late John Kenney, Raymond Kenney, Ernest Kenney, James Kenney, Dorothy Klang, Ruth Gereaux, Hazel Carey, Evelyn Charboneau and Viola Murphy. Her funeral to be held July 19 at 9 a.m. at the Connors Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian burial in St. Anthony’s Church in Portsmouth. Burial will take place in Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pawtucket. Donations in her memory may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Wagon Fund, PO Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 205 Hallene Road, Suite 209, Warwick, RI 02886.
Ardell Alice ‘Dell’ Johnson, 49
ARDELL Alice "Dell" Johnson, 49, of 7 Samson Lane in Middletown died Monday, July 16, 2001 at Newport Hospital. She was the wife of Robert Walker Johnson.
Born in Charleston, S.C. Feb. 13, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Chester E. Straka and Agnes A. (DeMello) Straka.
Johnson worked as a loan officer at the Bank of Newport’s Middletown branch for 19 years until 1988, when she moved to Georgia. She returned to Newport in 1990 and went to work for Salve Regina University as a student loan coordinator for 11 years.
She is survived by her husband; sons Adam C. Berry and Timothy J. Berry, both of Middletown; daughter Sarah A. Berry of Middletown; brothers Chester Straka of Newport, Anthony Straka of Brockton, Mass. and Richard Straka of Raleigh, N.C.; sister Mary Rosa of Newport; and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, R.I. Chapter, 400 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Jan Mirsky
Jan Surnamer Mirsky, 60, of 155 E. 73 St. in New York City and 48 Everett St. in Newport, died Sunday, July 22, 2001 at his home in New York of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Linda Lee Asch. Born in Savannah, Ga. Jan. 7, 1941, he was the son of the late Joseph and Leona Mirsky. He graduated from Duke University with degrees in economics and history and received a master’s degree in finance from the University of Virginia. Upon graduation, Mirsky began a career with W.R. Grace & Company in New York. Later, he worked for the investment banking firm of Scheinman, Hochstin & Trotta, where he served as the vice president of corporate finance. He was executive manager of the Wall Street Venture Capital Corporation and the co-founder, director and chief financial officer of Angio Medical Corporation. In the early 1960s he served in the medical corps of the New York Air National Guard. At the time of his death, Mirsky was serving as the chief financial officer of Sel-Leb Marketing, a NASDAQ-listed public company. An avid golfer and sportsman, Mirsky was a member of the Newport County Club, the Newport Reading Room, the Friars Club of New York, the New England Society of New York and the Regency Whisk. He is survived by his wife, son David Dodge McIlvain of California, daughter Wendy Taylor McIlvain of New York, grandchildren Lynn Taylor and Sydney Dodge McIlvain and a sister, Jill Hunter of Weston, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. July 25 at the Island Cemetery in Newport. Donations in his memory may be made to the John P. Burke Memorial Fund, c/o RIGA, 1 Buttonhole Drive, Suite 2, Providence, RI 02909.
Dias
Elias B. Dias, 93, of 9 Bradford Ave. in Newport, died Thursday, July 26, at home under the care of Hospice Care of Rhode Island. He was the husband of Sophia (Galante) Dias. Born in Portsmouth May 21, 1908, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Philomena (Moitoso) Dias. He was the owner and operator of Aquidneck Aluminum Products for 25 years, retiring in 1975. He also worked as a machinist for the Newport Hospital for five years prior to opening his own business. He was a communicant of Jesus Saviour Church. Dias had served as president of the Holy Name Society, president of the Portuguese Civic League and president of the Seven Castles Club. He was a member of the Portuguese American Federation, the Vasco da Gama Society, the Middletown Knights of Columbus and the Jesus Saviour church choir. He revived the Holy Ghost Feast after the war and was the first mordano. He had also served as the chair of the Jesus Saviour church bazaar for many years. Dias was an avid gardener and fisherman. He is survived by his wife; son Elias B. Dias, Jr. of Effingham, N.H.; daughters Natalie D. Colello of Providence, Eileen D. Pierson of Newport and Kathleen D. Mather of Newport; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Joseph B. Dias, Frank Dias, Mercedes DeSantos, Mary Ornelas, Fanny P. Avila, Pauline Bento, Laura B. Gregorio and Hortense Azevedo. Funeral services were held Monday, July 30 at the Memorial Funeral Home in Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Jesus Saviour Church. Burial followed in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 143 Main St., Wakefield, RI 02879.
Lawton
Walter Hatch Lawton, 62, of Bliss Mine Road in Newport, formerly of Gibbs Avenue in Newport, died Saturday, July 28, at home. He was the husband of June (Doherty) Lawton, to whom he was married for 40 years. Born in Newport, he was the son of the late John Beckman and Eleanor (Hatch) Lawton. He had served in the U.S. Air Force in Kaiserslauten, Germany, the Dominican Republic and South Carolina. After his discharge from the Air Force, he worked for Raytheon for 28 years and for the Preservation Society of Newport County. He is survived by his wife, son James Walter Lawton of Sunnyvale, Calif., daughter Julie Lynn Knisley of San Antonio, Texas, grandson Craig Andrew Knisley, granddaughter Alyssa Jordan Knisley and brother John Lawton of Massachusetts. A memorial service was held July 31 at the Memorial Funeral Home in Newport. Donations in his memory may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 11 Forest St., New Canaan, Conn.
Leonard
Eleanor M. Leonard, 95, of Blenheim-Newport in Middletown, formerly of Portsmouth, Rumford and Pawtucket, died Sunday, July 29, at Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. She was the wife of the late James Leonard. Born in Pawtucket Dec. 4, 1905, she was the daughter of the late John and Kathleen (Coyle) McAlevy. She worked as an elementary school teacher in the Barrington and East Providence districts for 25 years, retiring in 1971. She received her certificate as a certified reading specialist from Rhode Island College and concluded her career as a reading specialist. She was a graduate of Pawtucket High School and Rhode Island College. She was a member of the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Citizens Center. She is survived by sons John Leonard of Asheville, N.C. and Vincent Leonard of Londonderry, N.H.; daughters Katherine Thacker of Riverside, Barbara Leonard of Arlington, Mass and Mildred Leonard of Waukegan, Ill.; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was the mother of the late James Leonard and Patricia Leonard. She was also the close friend of the late Frank Flaherty. Her funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pawtucket.
Donald Armington, 71, of Jamestown
Donald Talbot Armington, 71, of 28 West Passage Drive in Jamestown, a retired vice president for the Stanley Works, New Britain, Conn., died Sunday, July 29, at Newport Hospital, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was the husband of Carolyn (Niles) Armington.
Born in Framingham, Mass. Aug. 27, 1929, he was a son of the late Walker Armington III and the late Caroline (Craig) Armington. He was raised in Ridgewood, N.J., where he was a 1947 graduate of Ridgewood High School, and where he also earned his Eagle Scout rank. He later received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University in 1951, before serving two years as a Lieutenant JG with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era. He moved to Jamestown in 1989 from Avon, Conn., where he had lived for 23 years
Armington began his career with the Stanley Works, New Britain strapping division as a New England manager of regional sales and retired after 35 years in 1987 as the national vice president of marketing. He was a member of the United Congregational Church in Middletown, where he was currently serving on the board of trustees. He had also served on the nominating committee and was active on the church’s 300th anniversary committee. While living in Avon, Conn., he was a member of the Avon Congregational Church and had served as a trustee and superintendent of the Christian education program.
An avid sailor, Armington was a member of the Jamestown Yacht Club, where he was awarded yachtsman of the year in 2000 and the Kit Wright Community Service Award in 1995. He served as the chair of the Jamestown Harbor Management Commission from 1990 to 1999. He was a member of the Poplar Point Association, Wickford; the Centennial Lodge No. 118, AF&M, New Britain, Conn.; the Plum Beach Garden Club of North Kingstown; and the Landscape Design Council of the National Council of State Garden Clubs. He also enjoyed international travel, music and theater.
He is survived by his wife, sons David Niles Armington of Spencertown, N.Y. and Keith Edmund Armington of Sparks, Md., daughter Karen (Armington) Bouquillon of Holyoke, Mass., grandchildren Erin Marie Bouquillon, Elias Patrick Bouquillon, Daniel Greyson Bouquillon, Rachel Kathryn Armington, Caitlin Ann Armington and Stefan Thomas Armington. He was the brother of the late W. Craig Armington.
A memorial service will be held at the United Congregational Church, Valley Road at Green End Avenue in Middletown, Sunday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the United Congregational Church, PO Box 4262, Middletown, RI 02842, or to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607.
Ruth Howard Anthony
Ruth Howard Anthony, 83, of 333 Green End Ave., Middletown, formerly of 43 Merton Road, Newport, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 at Grand Islander Health Care Center of Middletown, RI. Born in Newport, RI on Aug. 26, 1917, she was the daughter of Frank Ruggles and Sadie (Howard) Ruggles. Mrs. Anthony worked for the former New England Telephone Co., retiring as assistant manager in 1981. She was a member of the Newport Art Association, The Telephone Pioneers of America, Newport Hospital Auxiliary, and worked in the gift shop for many years. Anthony also volunteered her time at the Newport Public Library for four years, helping with data entry. She was a member of Emmanuel Church and served on the Alter Guild for many years. She is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth A. Kenyon of Newport, a son, John B. Anthony Jr. of Lyndenborough, NH, one sister, Grace Ross of Newport, RI, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Her funeral was held in The Emmanuel Church Dearborn and Spring Street, Newport on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 at 1 p.m. Burial followed in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations may be made in her memory to the Grand Islander Health Care Center’s Recreation Fund, 333 Green End Ave., Middletown, RI 02842.
Luke Joseph Lis
Luke Joseph Lis, 79, of Forest Farm Health Care Center, Middletown died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001 at Forest Farm Health Care Center. Born in Willimantic, Conn. on March 13, 1922, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Marcez) Lis. Lis worked for J&L Steel in Willimantic, Conn. for 26 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Willimantic Lodge of Elks. Lis was a World War II Marine Corps Veteran serving in Iwogima where he was honored with the Purple Heart. He is survived by one son, Robin Lis of Jamestown, RI, one daughter, Mary Louise Keenan of Clinton, Conn., and four grandchildren. Funeral services and burial will be private. Arrangements have been made by the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.
M. Lawrence Pandolfo
Mariano Lawrence "Larry" Pandolfo, 90, of 146 Eustis Ave., Newport, died Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at his home. Born in Middletown, Conn. on Jan. 2, 1911, he was the son of the late Sebastian and Carmelina Russo Pandolfo. Pandolfo worked for the Newport Gas Co. for over 40 years, retiring in 1973. A longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Newport where he served for over 25 years as an usher, he was a member of the St. Mary’s Church Holy Name Society, the Sons of Italy, the Italian Forum, and the Brotherhood of Utility Workers of New England. Pandolfo enjoyed bocci and bowling and was an avid gardener. He is survived by his wife, Anna M. DiPalo Ripa Pandolfo, two daughters, Joan C. Kirwin and Ellen A. Condon, both of Newport, two brothers, Salvatore Pandolfo and Sebastian Pandolfo, a sister Helen Pizzonia, all of Middletown, Conn., five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He was the brother of the late Joseph Pandolfo. Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 3 at 9:10 a.m. at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home at 465 Spring Street, Newport. A Mass of Christian burial took place at St. Mary’s Church on Spring Street at 10 a.m. Internment was at St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Mary’s Church Restoration Fund, 12 William Street, Newport, RI 02840 or to the Visiting Nurse Health Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Marjorie (Yates) Seldon
Marjorie (Yates) Seldon, 89, of 35 Newport Ave., Newport, formerly of 98 John Street, Newport, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 at Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center, Newport. She was the wife of the late Kermit W. Seldon. Born in Calpepper, VA on May 17, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Walker and Annie Bessie (Nalle) Yates. Seldon worked as an assistant clerk with the David Rough Jewelry Store and Cabbages and Kings. She was a past member of the VFW Auxiliary post 1268, a past president of the International Order of the Kings Daughters and Sons and an usher for the Community Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, Leonard J. Coleman Jr. of Middletown, RI, four daughters, Annabelle Coofer of Newport, Alice Simmons of Piqua, OH, Marjorie Harris of Stanton, CA, and Evelyn Godbolt of Powder Springs, GA, 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Mabel Johnson and Sister of the late George Yates, Vincent Yates, James Yates, Marcelene Wigington, Serena Yates, Anna Mae Smith, and Julia Banks. Her funeral was held Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 at 11 a.m. in Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Burial was at the Island Annex. Donations in her memory may be made to the Community Baptist Church, Building Fund, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport, RI 02840.
Leo ‘Moon’ Sullivan
Newporters of a certain age (say, over 30) will remember The Mooring bar and restaurant of pre-gentrification. Back then the former New York Yacht Club station was presided over by the late Leo M. "Moon" Sullivan who was born on Dec. 31, 1908. He slipped his moorings on Aug. 7. His tenure at the waterfront establishment ran from 1948 to 1980, an era during which he would have observed immense changes to the Newport waterfront. In the post-war period his business would have seen an enormous navy presence; indeed, The Mooring is said to have been the unofficial navy officers’ club. By 1980 tourism had completely remade his town’s harbor.
Sullivan was a lifelong Newporter. He graduated in the first class of the former De La Salle Academy across the street from the Elms when the school was operated by the Christian Brothers. Upon graduation, he enrolled in Manhattan College in New York City, a school to which numerous De La Salle graduates went. William Lalli of Newport reports that while there Sullivan was an actor, athlete and Latin scholar. He graduated in 1932 at the height of the Great Depression. Later he was a Fifth Ward alderman. He served in the Pacific in World War II as a captain in the Quartermaster Corps.
Sullivan’s life spanned most of the 20th century. A few of his peers remain and they speak with lucidity and nostalgia about him and the many years they shared with him. The earliest times relayed for this account could easily have been source material for Thornton Wilder’s Newport idyll Theophilus North.
Much questioning was done in an attempt to learn the origin of Mr. Sullivan’s nickname "Moon." While no definitive answer had emerged by press time, both Lalli and Leo Downey recalled that the name had stuck in high school and suggested that it had come from Sullivan’s older, more round-faced brother who had previously borne the name. How the handover occurred is unclear.
In a recent telephone conversation, former Newporter John Fitzhugh Millar, now of Williamsburg, Virginia recalled that Sullivan had essentially "saved HMS Rose by providing the ship with a berth during the 1970s." Millar had launched his new tall ship in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1970 but found little welcome for her when she arrived in Newport the next year. She was a dockside fixture next to The Mooring for a decade. Former State Senator Norman Jacques also remembered Sullivan recently. "At the behest of Newport’s late Senator Eric O’Day Taylor he found a berth for my live-aboard boat in his marina. He was a man of few words but great decency. He understood that a network of friends created a community." Sullivan is survived by a daughter, Michele R. Sullivan of Arlington, Va; his sister Anne Sullivan Matthews of Pa. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cottrell
George C. Cottrell, Sr., 64, of 36 Forest Ave. in Middletown, a former R.I. State Representative, died Monday, Aug. 13 at Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn. after a brief illness. He was the son of the late James J. Cottrell and Elizabeth Harper Cottrell.
Born in Newport Oct. 15, 1936, he was the husband of Margaret J. (Smith) Cottrell. He served two terms in the state House from 1969-1972.
Cottrell graduated from Rogers High School in 1954 and entered the Army as a member of the 11th Airborne Division in Augburge, Germany and the armored division at Fort Hood, Texas. He completed his service career in the Rhode Island Army Reserve as a communication sergeant. He owned and operated Cottrell’s Memorial Works at 39 Warner St. in Newport with his family. He retired after 25 years with the New England Telephone Company and was a member of IBEW Local 2323. He was a team member of the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Conn.
Beside his wife, he is survived by sons James H. Cottrell of North Kingstown, George C. Cottrell, Jr. of Manitowac, Wis., Michael H. Cottrell of Johnston and Patrick B. Cottrell of Los Angeles, Calif., nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His funeral was held Aug. 17 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home in Newport and burial was in Island Cemetery in Newport.
Hayes
Ellen E. Hayes, 47, of 23 Halidon Ave. in Newport died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001, at home after a long illness. She was the daughter of Patrick O’N. Hayes and Marilyn (Morrissey) Hayes of Newport and the mother of Cynthia Hayes of Newport. Born in Newport Jan. 22, 1954, she attended Rogers High School and graduated from De La Salle Academy. She attended Regis College and graduated from Salve Regina College in 1976. She was a nursery teacher at Newport County YMCA for many years. The Ellen Hayes Volunteer Parent Award at the YMCA was named for her this year. She was a member of Hazard’s Beach. Besides her parents and daughter, she is survived by brothers Patrick Hayes, Michael Hayes, Christopher Hayes and Peter Hayes, all of Newport, and eight nieces and nephews, all of Newport. A Mass of Christian burial was held Aug. 20 at St. Augustin Church in Newport and interment was in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Health Services of Newport and Bristol counties Hospice Program, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Klassner
William M. Klassner, 67, of 109 Bliss Road in Newport died Friday, Aug. 17, at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Jane A. Winthrop Klassner. Born in Scranton, Pa. June 17, 1934, he was the son of Erwin Klassner of Dunmore, Pa. and the late Ruth (Kiernan) Klassner. He was a 20-year career Navy veteran, serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1972 as a sonar technician senior chief. After his military service, Klassner worked for the McLaughlin Research Co. in Middletown for 12 years as a technical writer, retiring in 1992. He was a parishioner of Jesus Saviour Church in Newport and was a member of the Fleet Reserve. He was a 1951 graduate of Scranton Technical High School. Beside his wife, he is survived by son Michael Klassner, daughters Michelle A. Klassner, Meredith A. Klassner and Meghan A. Klassner, all of Newport; stepmother Mary Klassner of Dunmore, Pa.; sisters Suzanne Jones and Phyllis Klassner and brother Paul Klassner, all of Dunmore; and grandsons Nicholas and Matthew Klassner. A Mass of Christian burial was held Aug. 20 at Jesus Saviour Church and interment was in the Middletown cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Jesus Saviour Church, 1 Vernon Ave., Newport, RI 02840.
Levianis
John Frank Levianis, 81, of 23 Holten Ave. in Newport died Saturday, Aug. 18, at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of the late Ivory S. Sargent Levianis. Born in Grayville, Ill. June 12, 1920, he was the son of Angell Levianis and Mary (Rapainis) Levianis. He was a 30-year Navy veteran, serving with the First Marine Division of Guadalcanal during the World War II Pacific campaign. While serving as a Navy hospital corpman, he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. During the Korean War he was assigned to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was also awarded the Bronze Star, 7th Navy Good Conduct Medal and Antarctica Service Medal. After retiring in 1969, he was a merchant marine staff officer. He is survived by son Bobby Napier of Scituate, two granddaughters and one grandson. Funeral services and burial will be private.
Parker
Frances Elinor Lindgren Parker, 69, of 319 New Meadow Road in Barrington, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, at home. She was the companion of Donald E. Dumaine of Barrington for 26 years. She was the former wife of Kenneth Parker of Barrington. Born in Providence on Feb. 29, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Carl H. Lindgren and the late Frances (Waddell) Lindgren. She worked as an office manager for the Metric Auto Electric Company of Providence for 10 years until 1996. She had also been an office manager for Professional Office Systems of East Providence for six years.
Parker was a 1950 graduate of Barrington High School, where she was class secretary. She had also worked as the news library assistant at the Providence Journal and at the Pawtucket Times, where she established the news library and was sole librarian from 1953-55. She had been an active volunteer at the Hampden Meadows School and helped establish the library. In 1975 she became the advertising manager for the Grant Stores in southeastern Massachusetts and the East Bay region of Rhode Island, with headquarters in Fall River. She was a Girl Scout leader in Barrington from 1962-65. She was also a member of the Barrington Congregational Church. She was an avid gardener, naturalist, wildlife enthusiast and conservationist and had served as a foster parent in the 1980s.
She is survived by son David Parker of East Providence, daughters Valerie Parker Morrison of Strafford, N.H., and Kathy Lee Parker of Portsmouth, and grandchildren Ashley, Michael and Kimberly Morrison, all of Strafford, N.H. A memorial service will be held in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road in Portsmouth, at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31. Donations in her memory may be made to Save The Bay, 434 Smith St., Providence, RI 02908, or to the R.I. Wild Plant Society, PO Box 114, Peacedale, RI 02883-0114.
Smith
Doris Louise Smith, 88, of Forest Farm Health Care Center in Middletown, formerly of 789 Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth, died Monday, Aug. 27, at Forest Farm Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Ellsworth N. Smith, Capt. USN retired. Born in Boston on Feb. 21, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Samuel D. Louise (McDonald) VanBibber. Mrs. Smith was a homemaker. She was a former member of the Eureka Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and had been a dressmaker as a young woman on Cape Cod. She had been active in the American Field Trial Association in Southern New England for many years. Her husband was stationed on the USS Portland in Honolulu, and Mrs. Smith was living on the U.S. Naval Base in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was a member of the Potter League for Animals. She is survived by daughter Carol Ann Anderheggen of Portsmouth, granddaughter Erica Zoe Anderheggen of New Canaan, Conn., granddaughter Shanita Anderheggen of Brookline, Mass., and great-granddaughter Kylie Mae Schafer of New Canaan, Conn. A memorial service will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in Forest Farm Health Care Center. Cremation will be at the Atlantic Cremation Service in Portsmouth. Donations may be made in her memory to Robert Potter League for Animals, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI, 02840.
Turner
Annie F. (Day) Turner, 87, of the Grand Islander Health Care Center, 333 Green End Ave. in Middletown, formerly of 87 Girard Ave. in Newport, died Sunday, Aug. 26, at Grand Islander Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Lawrence L. Turner. Born in Danforth, Maine, March 10, 1914, she was the daughter of the late James and Ada (Andrews) Day. She was a member of the United Baptist Church on Spring Street in Newport. She is survived by son Herschel L. Turner of Middletown, grandsons Lawrence L. Turner of Portsmouth, Stephen M. Turner of Portsmouth and Michael H. Turner of West Greenwich, six great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons. She was the sister of the late Frank Day. Burial will take place in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association, New England Affiliate, 20 Speen St., Framingham, Mass. 01701-4688 or to the Grand Islander Health Care Patient Activities Fund, 333 Green End Ave., Middletown, RI 02842.
Robert Alfred Thompson, 71
Robert Alfred Thompson, 71, of 19 Rosedale Court, Middletown died Aug. 27, 2001 at home. He was the husband of Yoshiko (Yamada) Thompson.
Born in Baltic, Conn. on Sept. 6,1929, he was the son of the late Alfred and Rose (Talbot) Thompson. Mr. Thompson’s career in the U.S. Navy spanned 26 years. He was a veteran of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His distinguished military career included serving as a boatswain’s mate, shipboard anti-aircraft gunner, Japanese translator and interpreter and commissary/supply. He was a veteran of several world cruises and equator crossings earning the title of shellback. After retirement from the navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, he worked from 1973 to 1996 managing the Newport Naval Base dining facility, earning several annual awards for the best facility throughout the navy. He also worked closely with the Maher Center on a project to assist those who are impaired and challenged, helping them to integrate into the working environment and work toward self-sufficiency. He served as the past treasurer for the Middletown Little League. He was a member of the Middletown VFW and the Fleet Reserve Branch 19 in Newport.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years Yoshiko Thompson of Middletown, two sons Patrick Michael Thompson of Newport and Tim Kelly
Thompson of Middletown; his daughter Kathleen Iko Johnson of Gulf Port, Miss.; three grandchildren Marissa, Kaitlyn and Timmy Johnson of Gulf Port, Miss.; four brothers William Thompson of Voluntown, Conn., Butch Thompson of Fountain, Colo., John Thompson of Norwich, Conn., and Michael Thompson of Norwich, Conn.; four sisters Anne Roarke of Desoto, Texas, Lillian Miller of Casselberry, Fla., Irene Mason of Taftville, Conn., and Marie Blanchard of Casselberry, Fla.
His funeral will be held Saturday, Sept. 1 at 11:00 a.m. in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will take place in the family lot at Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Vietnam Era Veterans, Association of Rhode Island, 250 Prairie Avenue, Providence, RI 02905.
