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Melanie Levine
Melanie Pearl Levine, 16, of Newport Avenue in Middletown died Thursday, May 9, 2002 at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. Born in Newport July 31, 1985, she was the daughter of Andrew Mark Levine and Holly B. (Bradbury) Levine.
Miss Levine was a junior at Middletown High School. She was a graduate of the Joseph Gaudet Middle School in Middletown. While at the high school, she was on the softball team and enjoyed playing basketball. She had achieved the rank of second-degree black belt in the martial arts of karate. She attended Middletown recreation department camps as a young girl and had worked her way up to being a counselor.
She is survived by her parents, sister Danielle Robin Levine of Middletown, grandparents Richard and Marlene (Philips) Levine of Marblehead, Mass., and uncle and aunt David and Susan Levine of Nashua, N.H. She was the granddaughter of the late Pearl (Brudner) Levine, Kenneth Bradbury and Chip Meline Bradbury.
Funeral services and burial were private. Donations in her memory may be made to the pediatric intensive care unit of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903.
Doris O’Toole
Doris E. (McKersie) O’Toole, 78, of Valley Road in Middletown, formerly of Bedlow Avenue in Newport, died Thursday, May 9, 2002 at Newport Hospital. Born in Paterson, NJ, May 28, 1923, she was the daughter of the late David McKersie and Mary (Kascanik) McKersie.
Mrs. O’Toole had worked as a research pharmacist for the Pfizer Company, retiring in the 1980s. She served in the Navy during World War II and was active in the Women Accepted Volunteer Emergency Services. She enjoyed going to yard sales and adored her granddaughter.
She is survived by her daughter Eileen Wing of Middletown, Conn., sister Jean Antin of Centerville, Mass., and granddaughter Elizabeth Wing of Middletown, Conn.
A graveside service was held Monday, May 13 at Newport Memorial Park in Middletown, where the Rev. Thomas Carnevale conducted committal prayers.
Frances Stenholm
Frances Vivian Clara (Anderson) Stenholm, 81, of Third Street in Newport died Sunday, May 12, 2002 at Newport Hospital. She was the wife of Joseph Lawton Stenholm. Born in Jersey City, N.J., May 31, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Sven Emil Anderson and Thyra Linnea (Wennerberg) Anderson.
Mrs. Stenholm graduated from Plainfield (New Jersey) High School in 1938 and was employed as a secretary until she moved to Rhode Island in 1941. She and her husband, Joseph, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past October. The Stenholms owned and operated a variety store on Spring Street during the 1950s and 1960s. She was employed as a school bus monitor for several years after that. Until recently, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her husband, daughter Cassandra Crandall of Charlestown and grandson Aaron J. Arzamarski of Savannah, Ga.
Her funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 400 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860; the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701; or the American Lung Association, 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
Adé Bethune
Adé Bethune, 88, of Washington Street in Newport, died Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at home. Born in Schaerbeek, Belgium, in 1914, she was the daughter of the late Gaston and Marthe de Bethune.
Adé immigrated to New York with her parents in 1928. From 1933 to 1938 she was closely associated with Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin of the Catholic Worker movement; she designed the masthead and provided the illustrations for the Catholic Worker.
In 1936 she came to Newport, entering into a working relationship with Newport artist John Howard Benson. She also taught art at the Portsmouth Priory (now Abbey) School. In the 1940s she set up the St. Leo Shop on Thames Street, establishing herself as a liturgical artist and consultant in church architecture. From the 1960s to the present she worked as the art director of the Terra Sancta Guild of Broomall, Pa., producing church furnishings, liturgical objects, memorial cards and religious objects for home use.
Greatly gifted and broadly skilled, she was a sculptor, painter, mosaic artist, wood carver and jewelry and metal worker. She was one of the founders of the Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC) in 1969 and designed the prototype house of the corporation’s building program. She oversaw construction of many of these units throughout Newport County.
In 1991, Adé founded the Star of the Sea not-for-profit corporation to provide living quarters for senior citizens. In conjunction with the CCHC, Star of the Sea acquired the disused property of the Cenacle Convent at 111 Washington St. She oversaw the design and reconstruction of the five structures on the property into a state-of-the-art facility for senior living.
Adé’s survivors include her brother André de Bethune of Portsmouth, her sister Françoise of Louvain-la-Neuve of Belgium and their numerous descendants.
See article pg. 1
Arthur Dias
Arthur Costa Dias, 93, of Dexter Street in Middletown died Friday, May 3, 2002 at Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. He was the husband of Mary (DeCosta) Dias. Born in St. Miguel, Azores, Oct. 11, 1908, he was the son of the late Antone C. and Maria (Placido) Dias.
Mr. Dias had worked in the maintenance department at Raytheon in Portsmouth for 11 years, retiring in 1973. He was also the owner and operator of Dias Texaco Station for 20 years and had previously been a chauffeur at the Avalon estate.
He was a member of the Seven Castle Club, the Middletown Knights of Columbus and the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society. He was a founder of the rebirth of the Jesus Saviour Feast after World War II, a past member of fourth-degree Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society and a former trustee of the Jesus Saviour Church.
He is survived by his wife, sons James Dias of Newport and John Dias of Riverside, daughters Mary Ann Garner of Middletown and Joanne Donnelly of Newport, brothers Manny Dias and Joseph Dias, both of Newport, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was the father of the late Arthur Dias Jr.
His funeral was held Tuesday, May 7 at Memorial Funeral Home in Newport, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at Jesus Saviour Church in Newport. Burial was in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society, Fenner Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.
Evelyn Flores
Evelyn Margaret (Ritt) Flores, 85, of Peckham Lane in Middletown died Friday, May 3, 2002 at Newport Hospital. She was the wife of Ernest Flores. Born in Newport Oct. 1, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Louis J. and Violet P. (Rowe) Ritt.
Mrs. Flores had worked as the military pay supervisor with the naval finance office at Naval Base Newport for 29 years, retiring in 1970. She is survived by her husband, sister Pauline Ritt LaBrie of Punta Gorda, Fla., niece Ruth Wilcox of Portola Valley, Calif., nephew Ritt LaBrie of Lincoln, great-nephews Nathaniel and Noah Wilcox, both of Portola Valley, Calif., and Evan LaBrie of Lincoln and great-niece Korrie LaBrie of Lincoln.
Funeral services and burial were private.
Isabel MacNaught
Isabel MacNaught, 79, of Washington Street in Bristol, formerly of Leonard Drive in Tiverton, died Saturday, May 4, 2002. She was the wife of the late Donald S. MacNaught. Born in Providence May 16, 1922, she was the daughter of the late George and Daisy (Anderton) Osbourn.
A devoted child advocate, Mrs. MacNaught was a former teacher at Green Acres Country Day School in Providence for 10 years and taught at schools in Fall River, Mass., Newport and Tiverton. She had been a foster parent as well as a volunteer at hospitals and children’s agencies throughout her life. She worked for many years at Bradley Hospital in East Providence until her retirement in 1984.
Throughout her life, Mrs. MacNaught was active in numerous clubs, boards, associations and learning programs, which include having served as president of the Tiverton Garden Club and the Woman’s Club of Newport County, as a member of the Tiverton planning board, as PTA president in Barrington and as an active leader in boys and girls scout groups. She was an ardent bridge player, accomplished writer, lifelong athlete and an avid knitter. She especially loved playing board games with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Michael’s Church in Bristol and had previously served as a vestry member, treasurer, Sunday school leader and teacher at St. Mark’s in Warren and at Holy Trinity in Tiverton.
She is survived by her children and their spouses Glenn and Ellen MacNaught of Bristol, Bruce and Nancy MacNaught of New Durham, NH, Bonnie J. Braga of Swansea, Mass., Laurie N. O’Keefe of Barrington and D. Stuart and Julie MacNaught of Newport; 10 grandchildren and three nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Holy Trinity Church, 1958 Main Road in Tiverton. A celebration of her life will follow at 3 p.m. at Mount Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Ave., Bristol. Donations in her memory may be made to Newport Hospital, 11 Friendship St., Newport, RI 02840.
Christine Sherren
Christine N. Sherren, 34, of Brockton, Mass., died Sunday, May 5, 2002 at home. Born in Brockton, she was the daughter of Nancy (Norton) Sherren of Providence and the late Franklin L. Sherren II.
Ms. Sherren lived in East Providence for 10 years before moving to Providence 24 years ago. She was a member of the Rhode Island Vegan Association and Newport Friends of the Waterfront. She was an activist for and member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She attended the University of Rhode Island Extension and was an avid gardener.
She is survived by her mother, brother Franklin L. Sherren III of Del Rio, Texas, an aunt and an uncle.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at 11 at the Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent St., Providence. Burial will be private.
Manuel Alves
Manuel Alves, 80, of Seascape Avenue in Middletown died Monday, May 20, 2002 at Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. Born in Middletown April 27, 1922, he was the son of the late Frank and Maria (Coelho) Alves.
He is survived by his brother Walter Alves of Middletown, with whom he lived. He was the brother of the late Joseph Alves, Frank Alves and John Alves.
His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23 at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columbia Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the James L. Maher Center, PO Box 4390, Middletown, RI 02842.
John Flanagan
John E. Flanagan, 76, of Shore Drive in Middletown, formerly of Springfield, Mass., died Monday, May 20, 2002 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of the late Rosetta Catherine (O’Neill) Flanagan. Born in Lowell, Mass., Feb. 4, 1926, he was the son of the late George P. and Theresa (Sheehan) Flanagan.
Mr. Flanagan was a 1947 graduate of Williams College, a 1950 graduate of Georgetown Law School and a 1964 graduate of Boston University. He was trained as an aviator in the U.S. Navy and was later a member of the JAG Corps in the Naval Reserves. He was a partner with the law firm Walsh, Flanagan & Walsh in Springfield, Mass., retiring in 1990. After his retirement, he was the proprietor of the Atlantic House bed and breakfast in Middletown with his wife. He was the past president of the Springfield City Council, a lifetime member of the Navy League and a past president of the Springfield Navy League.
He is survived by his son John E. Flanagan Jr. of Sewickley, Pa., daughters Mary E. Smiley of San Diego, Calif., Ann C. Flanagan of Newport and J. Carol Palmer of North Kingstown, brothers Robert Flanagan and Richard Flanagan, both of Springfield, Mass., and Joseph Flanagan of New York, sisters Joanne McKay of West Greenwich and Ruth Corrigan of Charlestown, Mass., six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his companion Betty Jeanne Martins. He was the brother of the late George Flanagan, Edward Flanagan, Jerome Flanagan and Mary Genevieve.
His funeral will be held at 8 a.m. Friday, May 24 at Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Ave., Newport with a Mass of Christian burial at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the HHT Foundation International, PO Box 8087, New Haven, Conn., 06530 or the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Anna Serpa
Anna D. (Flowers) Serpa, 94, of Rhode Island Avenue in Fall River, Mass., formerly of Manning Terrace in Newport and Boulevard in Middletown, died Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. She was the wife of the late Joseph P. Serpa and companion to Joseph Gray of Fall River. Born in Middletown Jan. 18, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Leite and Mary (Sylvia) Flowers.
Mrs. Serpa was the former owner of Lorah’s Drug Store in Newport. She was a former member of Jesus Saviour Church.
She is survived by her sons William Serpa of Jupiter, Fla., and Joseph P. Serpa Jr. of Warwick, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her companion. She was the sister of the late Frank Flowers, Joseph Flowers and Mary Perry.
Her funeral was held Saturday, May 18 at Jesus Saviour Church in Newport. Burial was in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017.
Joseph M. Vieira
Joseph M. Vieira, 81, of Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth, formerly of Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he lived from 1986-1999, and Mill Lane in Portsmouth, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at the Silver Creek Manor in Bristol. Born in Newport June 9, 1920, he was the son of the late Marion and Aldina (Costa) Vieira.
Mr. Vieira was past president of the Portsmouth Lions Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge. He had worked as a heavy equipment operator for Jerry Sullivan Contractors.
He is survived by his sisters Dorothy Brown of Portsmouth, Mary Roche of Portsmouth, Laora Toppa of Middletown, Agnes Luce of Portsmouth, Julia Bucci of Portsmouth, Emily Hillan of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Yvonne Moffitt of Middletown and Marjorie Sanders of Fremont, Calif., and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Leona Tolleson, Shirley Ann Marshall, and Henry Vieira.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24 at St. Anthony’s Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be private.
Isabel Costa
Isabel N. Costa, 93, of Vaughan Avenue in Newport died May 27, 2002 at Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center in Newport. She was the wife of the late Henry Costa. Born in Newport May 6, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Souza and Isabel (Vargas) Nunes.
Mrs. Costa worked as a caretaker at the estate "Plaisance" for Dr. and Mrs. Saunders and was the secretary to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilbert. She also worked for Newport Cleaners and the former Swain Cleaners, retiring in 1971.
She is survived by her daughters Barbara Moniz of Newport and Dorothy Garcia of Middletown, sons Henry Costa Jr. of Newport, Joseph Costa of West Melbourne, Fla., and Charles Costa of Orange City, Fla., sister Ann McFee of Portsmouth, 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Joseph Nunes, George Costa, Rose Kelley and Mary Murphy, grandmother of the late Linda Moniz and great-grandmother to the late Michele Halloway.
Her funeral was held May 30. Burial was in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the Newport Fire Department and Rescue Wagon Fund, 21 West Marlborough St., Newport, RI 02840.
Reginald "Reggie" Ford
Reginald H. "Reggie" Ford, 80, of Boughton Road in Newport died May 23, 2002 at Miriam Hospital in Providence. He was the husband of Mary Alice (Mello) Ford for 56 years. Born in Newport July 28, 1921, he was the son of the late Thomas and Abbie (Munroe) Ford.
Mr. Ford owned and operated Imperial Window Cleaning, founded in 1959, until he retired in 1996. He was a lifetime member of the Middletown Knights of Columbus, past president of the Holy Name Society of Jesus Saviour Church, sexton of Jesus Saviour church for 42 years, committee member of the Jesus Saviour Communion Breakfast, the Jesus Saviour Church Bazaar and the Jesus Saviour Holy Ghost Feast. Mr. Ford was an avid bowler. He played in the Sunset League as a catcher, coached the CYO basketball team and was on a baseball and basketball team. He was also a volunteer at the James L. Maher Center on Hillside Avenue.
He is survived by his wife, sons Reginald Ford of Portsmouth, Ronald Ford of Newport and Stephen Ford of Middletown, daughters Kathleen Evans of Suffolk, Va., Brenda McCullock of Chesapeake, Va., and Paula Ford of Newport, sister Dorothy Weatheral of California, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
His funeral was held May 29. Burial was in St. Columbia Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the James L. Maher Center, PO Box 4390, Middletown, RI 02842 or the American Heart Association, R.I. Affiliate, 40 Broad St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Edmond"Jerry" Morris
Edmond Jerome "Jerry" Morris, 62, of Halsey Street in Newport died May 27, 2002 at Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center in Newport. Born in Woonsocket March 9, 1940, he was the son of Edmond Morris and Margaret (Graham) Morris.
Mr. Norris graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1957 and the University of Rhode Island in 1961. He began training with NUSC in 1957 and worked for them as a mechanical engineer until retiring in 1996. He was an active volunteer for the Sachuest Point Preserve and was one of the founders of the Friends for National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island. He was also a music enthusiast of both jazz and classical music.
He is survived by his son Brendan Cronnel of Loudenville, N.Y., daughters Emily Morris of Newport, Lisa Sellar of Middletown and Jennifer Cronnel of Newport, brother Paul Morris of Woonsocket and his former wife Barbara Cronnel of Newport.
His funeral was held May 29. Burial was private. Donations in his memory may be made to the Friends of National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island, PO Box 553, Charlestown, RI 02813.
Rose Rebello
Rose Mary (Anderson) Rebello, 72, of Donovan Manor in Newport died May 19, 2002 at home. Born in Pine Grove, W.V., Aug. 4, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Goldie Mae (Noland) Anderson.
She is survived by her sons Domingo Farias of Valdosta, Ga., and Joseph Farias of Newport, daughters Rose Mary Farias of Newport, Judy Ann Burman of Provincetown, Mass., and Lucille Violet Trudell of Newport and seven grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Saturday, May 25 at Beech Grove Cemetery in Westport, Mass.
Col. Orville Ross
Col. Orville Bergier Ross, USAF Ret., 86, of Bliss Mine Road in Middletown died May 22, 2002 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Diane Iris (Leach) Ross of Middletown and the late Dorothy Jean (Leach) Ross. Born in Peabody, Kan., June 11, 1915, he was the son of the late Arthur Oliver and Cynthia (Bergier) Ross.
Col. Ross served for 26 years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. During World War II he was a bombardier in the 385th bomb squadron flying out of England and was awarded the Croix de Guerre with a Gold Star by the French government. After his retirement in 1966, he and his late wife Dorothy settled in Newport. They owned and operated the antique store La Fontaine on Spring Street until he sold it in 1991. After that, Col. Ross took care of his properties. He was a member of the 385 Bomber Group Society and a founding member of the American Air Museum in England.
He is survived by his wife, nephews Thomas Holmberg of California, Edward Holmberg of Colorado and David Holmberg of London, England, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was the brother of the late Ivan Ross and Ruth Holmberg.
His funeral was held May 29. Burial was in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Air Museum in England.
Ann Silvia
Ann Marie (Souza) Silvia, 63, of Foxboro Avenue in Portsmouth died May 23, 2002 at Newport Hospital. Born in Newport on June 24, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Anna (Peters) Souza.
Mrs. Silvia worked for 11 years as a special education bus aide for the Laidlaw Transit Co., retiring in 2001. She was an avid gardener and skilled knitter.
She is survived by sons Kevin Silvia of Tiverton, James Silvia of Portsmouth, daughters Cynthia Fontaine of Tiverton, Cheryl Perry of Tiverton, Stephanie Detusa of Portsmouth, brother Arthur Souza of Ft. Meyers, Fla., sister Jessica Vieira of Cape Coral, Fla., and 10 grandchildren.
Her funeral was held May 27. Burial was private. Donations in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurses Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Gerald Taylor
Gerald M. Taylor, 81, of Brooks Avenue in Newport, a radio broadcaster and photographer who chronicled local news for more than 40 years, died May 26, 2002. He was the husband of Adelle (Baker) Taylor. Born in Newport Dec. 9, 1920, he was the son of the late Andselm and Victoria (Carpentier) Taylor.
Mr. Taylor served as a photojournalist in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Prominent on the local news scene, he was involved with publishing newspapers following his military discharge in 1947. He later broadcast his "Newport Radio Express" news program from his home studio until his retirement in 1985. The half-hour news program was followed by a 30-minute call-in opinion show that included interviews with governors, bishops, yachting captains, film and publishing celebrities and other guests.
Mr. Taylor was elected to the original charter commission and was a charter member of the Newport Kiwanis Club, later changing his affiliation to the Newport Lions. Through his radio program, he raised funds for an early rescue wagon and to send Mayor Humphrey Donnelly and Mrs. Donnelly to Japan for the Black Ships Festival.
As a Newport stringer for CBS and later ABC news, Mr. Taylor filmed the revival of the America’s Cup trials and races along with numerous other yachting events, including the sinking of the Andrea Doria and the U.S. Bennington explosion. He filmed the presidential visits of Roosevelt through Nixon. As a photographer for United Press and on a freelance basis, his work appeared in Sports Illustrated, Time, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Women’s Wear Daily. He also published features and photographs in the Providence Journal.
During construction of the Newport (Pell) Bridge, he produced construction photographs for Bethlehem Steel. Undaunted by heights, he almost fell through one of the 400-foot towers on a final photo shoot the day the bridge opened, resulting only in a bruised knee.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, sons Gerald Taylor Jr. of Newport, Christopher Taylor of Portsmouth, Mark Taylor of Westport, Conn., and daughter Holly Taylor of Williamstown, Mass. He was the father of the late Paul Michael Taylor and the brother of the late A. Francis Taylor and Madeleine Carney.
A Mass of Christian burial was held May 30. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River, Mass. Donations in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Cora Truver
Cora M. (Phaneuf) Truver, 97, formerly of Braman Street in Newport, died May 27, 2002 at Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center in Newport. She was the wife of the late George T. Truver. Born in Taunton, Mass., Sept. 15, 1904, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Mardor (Foxey) Phaneuf.
She is survived by her sons Charles Truver of Newport, Donald Truver of Somerset, Mass., Alfred Truver of Middletown and Michael Truver of California, daughter Theresa Luzitano of Tiverton, 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Doris Cercosta, George Truver Jr., Robert Truver and John Truver.
Her funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 31 at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.
Charles Wynperle Jr.
Charles Jacob Wynperle Jr., 86, of North Drive, Sunny Acres, Portsmouth, died May 28, 2002 at Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol. He was the husband of Rose (Botelho) Wynperle. Born in New York, N.Y., April 4, 1916, he was the son of the late Charles and Nellie (Cornix) Wynperle.
Mr. Wynperle was in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years, retiring as a Commissaryman 1st Class in 1961. He later worked at the Navy Exchange Security Department until 1984. While in the Navy, he was on a ship sailing into Pearl Harbor on the morning of Dec. 7, 1944 during the Japanese attack. He also served during the Korean War. Mr. Wynperle was a life member of the VFW-Newport Post and the Elks Club-Newport 104, a member of the American Legion of Newport and the Fleet Reserve Branch No. 19 in Newport. He was also a member of the Masonic Order in New York City, Polmonok Lodge.
He is survived by his wife Rose Wynperle of Portsmouth, son Charles Wynperle III of Dover, Fla., stepdaughter Barbara Lewis of Middletown, two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Wilfred Wynperle, stepfather of the late Lt. Anthony Lewis MPD and Sgt. Frank Lewis MPD and brother of the late William Wynperle.
His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31 at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, R.I. Chapter, 400 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.
George Coppit
George Lee Coppit, 76, of Wilson Road in Middletown died Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Athena "Bobby" (Alexander) Coppit. Born in Ragland, Ala., May 26, 1926, he was the son of the late Willie C. and Modell (Phillips) Coppit.
Mr. Coppit had worked for Lafayette Market on Bellevue Avenue in Newport for several years before working at Brick Market and the Newport Creamery. He had also worked for the Doris Duke Estate and was employed by the Doubletree Hotel as a head painter. He enlisted in the Marines shortly after Pearl Harbor and trained at Camp Lejeune. He was then sent to the Marine barracks in Newport. From Newport, he joined the 4th Marine Division for the invasion of Iwo Jima. He also served during the Korean War. He was a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors of Connecticut and Rhode Island and was a longtime member of Trinity Church.
He is survived by his wife, daughter Janie F. Raffa of Newport, brothers Larry Coppit of Tennessee and Donald Wayne Coppit of Rossville, Ga., seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late George L. Coppit Jr.
His funeral was held June 8. Burial was in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth. Donations in his memory may be made to the Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 143 Main St., Wakefield, RI 02879 or to Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI 02840.
