SMITH FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES - Key Persons
Anthony A. Primiano, 74, of Warren, died unexpectedly, Saturday, April 6, 2024, at RI Hospital. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Albert and Joyce (Smith) Primiano. Loving husband of Ann Marie (Palumbo) Primiano, from whom he was rarely separated from for 28 years.
Most recently he was a dispatcher for AAA and marked dig safe for Full Channel TV. He was a Police officer for the Warren Police Department where he served for 23 years, retiring as a Sergeant. Anthony served for the Army Reserve as a 2nd Lieutenant.
He was a volunteer for the Warren Fire Department, Engine 1, for over 50 years, where he served many years as Lieutenant, as well as the WFD Rescue Squad for which he served as truck steward, Lieutenant and Captain as an EMT-C, with over 25 years of service. Anthony was excellent with computers, both building and understanding how they worked. He loved playing video games and reading Sci-Fi. In his younger years he enjoyed carpentry, which he learned from his uncle.
Besides his wife, he leaves his children, Melissa McKibben (Michael) of East Wallingford, VT and Jonathan Primiano (Laura) of Seekonk. He was "Pop" to his Stepchildren, Roland Brule (Liz) of Dighton; Sandra Achilli (Peter) of Bristol; Randall Brule (Robyn) of CT; Michael Blank (Frances) of Warren; Christopher Blank of Warren; Timothy Blank (Joseph) of Braintree. He was the brother of Michael J. Primiano (Nancy) of Barrington, William J. Primiano (Kris) and Marianne Primiano both of Warren. He also leaves a daughter in law, Colleen Reed, wife of the late Jonathan Reed. He was the beloved grandfather of Sarah; Nicholas; Aaron; Cameron; Sydney; Rachel; Alyssa; Gavin; Aspen; Maddox; Franny and Gabriella. He will be missed by pups Maya and Maggie and his cat Holly.
Armand J. DeBlois Jr., 79, of Warren, RI, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 after a long illness. A son of the late Armand J. DeBlois Sr. and Andrea (Quintin) DeBlois, he was a lifelong resident of Warren.
Armand served in Army National Guard and worked for the U.S Postal Service for 32 years, initially as a carrier and retired as a Supervisor of Postal Operations in Barrington, RI. Armand was a great source of wisdom and was knowledgeable about almost anything, including his vast collection of old sayings and proverbs. He was known as a man of integrity and just a true gentleman. Most of all, he was an amazing father and person. He will be greatly missed.
Armand is survived by his significant other, Kathleen Sullivan of Warren, RI; his son, Armand DeBlois III of Bristol, RI; and his daughter, Caryn A. DeBlois of Columbia, MD; his two grandchildren Claire and Armand IV DeBlois of Bristol, RI; and sisters Andrea Oliver of Warren, RI and Linda Sloman of Exeter, RI. He was the brother of the late Paul DeBlois and Jacqueline Rollins.
Brian is a dedicated and compassionate Funeral Director and Funeral Preplanning Specialist, with comprehensive and expansive expertise directing all aspects of funeral service. He joins our team as a Funeral Director, as well as the Director of Advance Planning. As the Director of Advance Planning, Brian provides families with compassionate guidance to preplan their funeral service in advance. This alleviates doubt about their desired wishes and lessens the burden on their loved ones, allowing for a more peaceful grief experience…
Brian joins our team with more than 30 years experience in the funeral industry. He was a 1987 graduate of Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, Massachusetts He received a degree in Mortuary Science from New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts in 1989.
Brian is a Licensed Insurance Agent and holds dual funeral and insurance licenses in three different states. He is also a Licensed Crematory Operator. Brian is a member of the RI Funeral Directors Association, as well as the National Funeral Directors Association. When he is not serving families, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife of more than 25 years, Kristel. They are blessed with the love, light and laughter of their only child, Halie. Brian enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and loves to collect Legos and enjoys quahogging on the shores of New England. Brian and his family enjoy frequent trips to the White Mountains and Disney World.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Generation Funeral Director
Cathie is a fourth generation funeral director/embalmer. She learned from her grandfather and continues the Smith Family tradition, while moving things forward and keeping up with the latest trends and ideas about funeral service. Her parents met in Newport, while her mom, Rosemary (Smith) Alden was in nursing school and her father James Alden was in Officers Training at the Newport Navy Base. After a short courtship they were married and Rosemary followed Jim around the globe, with a son being born in Long Beach, CA…
Dear Tom & Katie, I want to extend my sincere condolences at this difficult time. The end of this journey brings a difficult mixture of emotions, which include grief for the loss of your beloved wife and mother, and at the same time a sense of relief that she is no longer struggling with a very challenging illness. It has been my privilege to share a small part of this journey with you as we stood together through this long and difficult experience. I pray that God will bless you with grace and peace and that you will be comforted by memories of happier times together.
Debra Joy Anderson Marshall, the self-proclaimed Goddess of Knowledge and Power, 67, of Bristol, RI passed away on November 14, 2023 at Village House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport. She was the wife of Thomas Marshall and mother of Katie Marshall (Marc Powell).
Deb was born in West Hartford, CT on August 11, 1956, she later moved to Portsmouth, RI where she graduated from Portsmouth High School. She then attended the University of Rhode Island and Roger Williams University.
She is survived by her sisters, Dawn Turcotte and Diane Huber and their husbands David Turcotte and Peter Huber as well as Tom's brothers and their wives, Robert and Ann, David, Gary and Lisa Marshall. She loved being an aunt to her nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Turcotte (Danny), Kelsey Turcotte (Tyson), AJ Huber (Kelsey), Shelby Simpson (Trevor), Arlo "Abs of Steel" Huber, Morgan Turcotte, Jacob "Ocho" Hornoff, John Marshall (Julia), Gary Marshall, Kit Marshall (Chris), Gregory Marshall (Monica), and Bethany Powell (Adam). She also leaves behind her cousins Kathy, Brian and Mike Conroy as well as great nieces and nephews: Chloe, Charlie, Leo, Lauren, Cameron, Elliot, Aubrey and Emmy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Judith Anderson, and her in laws, Robert and Ethel Marshall.
Deb began her career as a call center manager for AT&T, but her true calling was teaching. When AT&T's Providence call center shut down, she went back to school to become a teacher. She then spent over 15 years at Kickemuit Middle School. It was at KMS where she claimed the moniker "the Goddess of Knowledge and Power". Neither her students, nor fellow teachers escaped the nickname and it quickly spread throughout Bristol. She was a leader in the Bristol/Warren community, and spread her core values of education, kindness, and selflessness to everyone she crossed paths with.
Deb organized many of the celebrations at the middle school, primarily to make sure there was a cake from Cake Gallery included, otherwise it was just a meeting. She shared her flexible "teacher schedule" with others, often hosting the neighborhood kids on snow days and she probably holds the record for most carpool miles driven. Outside of school, she was a strong role model for the young women she coached on the cheerleading teams for the Bristol Mustangs, Kickemuit Wildcats and Mt. Hope Huskies. Coaching youth sports usually lasts as long as your kids are involved, but not for Coach Debby; she started coaching before Katie was old enough to be on the roster and continued well after Katie graduated high school. In fact, she rarely coached her daughter's team at all, demonstrating her dedication to helping as many people as she could. She served in leadership positions at the local pop warner and RI high school cheer organizations and was a judge for competitions across the region. Deb wore many hats, off the field, and on the field, both figuratively and literally. You could always pick her out in the crowd by looking for the crazy hat she picked for the event.
She loved road trips with Tom, especially to spend Thanksgiving in Norfolk. Summers were spent with her sisters and the rest of the neighborhood in Snug Harbor with penny candy, boat rides and lobsters. If you invited her to a game or performance, she would be there proudly cheering you on. She loved a perfect Sunday morning coffee (hot, light no sugar with a straw) while completing the crossword; extra points if there was a clue should could read to Katie or Tom to guess. Her favorite party trick was knowing each and every Division I College's Mascot, her favorite being the Rhode Island Rams. Always the teacher, she would gladly teach you all about Rhody Basketball (and just how close that Duke game really was). She loved reading and waited each year for the new Stephanie Plum novel to which she would laugh so hard she'd drop the book. Dogs made her smile and she would stop whatever she was doing to pet one that crossed her path. Along with her friends, Deb made sure that each year's 4th of July parade experience was special, waking up at some ungodly hour to head down to the route to make sure we had the perfect spot in the shade. She never forgot the magic of Christmases when Katie was young and worked hard to make sure every family got to experience that magic at least once. Deb was known by many and loved by all, most of all she will be missed greatly by Katie, Tom, and all of those who she loved most
Dorothy L. Proulx, 93, of Warren, RI, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 with her loving family by her side. A daughter of the late Odilone and Louise (Aubin) Proulx, she was a lifelong resident of Warren.
Dorothy worked as a Registered Nurse for many years, first at Rhode Island Hospital and later for Dr. Ulysses Forget until her retirement. Later, she always made herself available to anyone who needed special care and was known by many as a wonderful and selfless person. Dot also did a lot of work for the American French Genealogical Society for many years. In her spare time, she loved to read and do various crafts. She was very devout to her faith and would say her rosary every day and follow up with a period of meditation. More than anything, Dot loved spending time with her great-nieces and nephews. She was known as the "cool young aunt" and would often go for visits with various treats and gifts.
Dorothy is survived by her nieces, Sharon Pugsley of Barrington, RI, and Eileen Lockett of Somerset, MA; her cousin, Janet Waite of Warren, RI; and many great-nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Yvonne Bento and Irene Lockett and the aunt of the late Janice Estrella, Nancy Bento-Bishaw and John Lockett.
I worked with Kyle for many years at the American Mathematical Society. She was a wonderful person - kind and compassionate - and a great co-worker. I will remember Kyle most for her wicked wit, her ability to make me laugh, and the twinkle in her eyes! You were sure to have fun when Kyle was involved. The other thing I will always remember about Kyle was how proud she was of her family and how much she loved them. My deepest sympathy to Kyle's family - her AMS family shares your loss and will remember her fondly. - Ellen Heiser
George Mello, 85, of Bristol, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at home. He was the beloved husband of Mary Jane (Wilson) Mello for 62 years.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John Sylvestre Mello and late Maria Isabel (da Ponte) Mello. George was a 1956 graduate of Bristol High School where he played football, managed the varsity basketball team, and acted in the school musical Marrying Marion. He graduated from Providence College in 1960, earning an A.B. in Education and participated in ROTC/Reserves. He earned a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Rhode Island. George was an educator in the Portsmouth School System for more than 30 years and retired as Guidance Director of Portsmouth High School.
George was an active member of both the National Education Association (NEA) and local Rhode Island (NEARI) chapter. He served in a variety of leadership roles including the National Executive Board, representing NEARI throughout the U.S. and NEA internationally in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Nigeria, Moscow, Berlin, Puerto Rico, and Jakarta.
George learned to ski as an adult, skiing not only at his favorite Gunstock Mountain in NH, but also Mount Tremblac (Canada) and the Swiss Alps. He loved bicycle riding, biking with his wife ‘Janie' and their group of friends throughout various places in Europe. He was active in the establishment of the East Bay Bike Path. George's travels took him around the globe: on safari in Africa, RV tour in the wilds of Alaska, and even as a crew member on a double-masted schooner.
He had many friends and made new ones everywhere he went - the grocery store, a drive to Colt Park, a wedding. His long-time friend noted his innate facility for communication, "He was a truly good man with a huge heart and will be sorely missed."
An avid fan of the PC Friars' basketball team and former season-ticket holder, George rarely missed a televised or radio announced game and attended his last game in-person at the Dunk during the 2022-23 season. A highlight for him was watching Lenny Wilkens lead the Friars to their first-ever title game at the 1960's NIT at Madison Square Garden.
For all his accomplishments, George was most proud of his family: four daughters, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Wilson) Mello of Bristol; daughters, Jenifer May (late Peter May) of Bristol; Cynthia Mace and her husband Earle of Wakefield, RI; Patricia Fletcher and her husband Patrick of Bristol; and Julie Mello and her partner Christopher Peara of San Diego, CA. Grandfather of Justine (Peter) Murray of Montana; Ian Mace (Annie) of Houston, TX, Drew and Seth Mace of Wakefield, RI, Samantha (Shawn) Blankenship and Lauren (Jake) Milne all of Bristol, RI, Jillian May of Boston, Eliza May of New York, and Faith May of North Andover, MA. Three great grandchildren: Isabel and Will Murray; Noah Blankenship; and his sister, Margaret (Mello) Lunney. He was the brother of the late John F. Mello.
Mr Mello was my guidance counselor at Portsmouth High. He was supportive and encouraging and there for me in challenging times. I will always remember his kindness. Beautiful funeral mass. Ann Marie (Kelly) Sorensen Class of 1980
Aunt Patricia and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of uncle Jim. I have such wonderful memories of him and all of us together growing up. He will be missed. My deepest condolences. Love, Heather
James Borges, 76, of Bristol passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023. He was the husband of Patricia (Polak) Borges for 54 years.
Born in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., James was the son of the late John Borges and the late Jane (LaRoi) Borges. He grew up in Midland Park, N.J., and not long after graduating from high school, hitchhiked his way to Providence College, carrying a sign that read: "I Know 1,000 Jokes." He graduated from PC in 1969 and began a job as sixth-grade teacher at Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School in Providence's West End, where he'd remain for the next two decades.
James and Patricia started a family, and in 1972 moved to Barrington, where they would remain for 17 years. James (better known simply as "Jim") was active in the community as a Little League baseball and soccer coach. An avid walker, he and Patricia could be seen walking around town nearly every day, long before the East Bay Bike Path was in place.
In 1984, he was elected to Barrington Town Council, an accomplishment of which he was truly proud, and served for two years.
Around the same time, after directing several plays at Perry in previous years, he was named theatre director at Classical High School in Providence. Jim truly embraced this position, working with highly-motivated and talented students while producing plays over the ensuing decade.
In the mid-1990s, Jim took over as a principal at a pair of schools, first on Providence's East Side, then in Fall River. He and Patricia moved to Bristol in 1999, and Jim retired in the mid-2000s.
Jim was an avid music fan with a record collection that included favorite artists like the Rolling Stones, Cream, Blind Faith and Traffic. He switched his sports rooting allegiances from the San Francisco Giants to the Boston Red Sox, and was also a New England Patriots and Providence College men's basketball fan.
Later in life, he became an avid (if not spectacular) golfer and was a member at Swansea Country Club.
Jim was a devoted husband to Patricia. He didn't have a huge circle of friends, but everyone who met him liked him. He was an easy-going guy who people gravitated to and enjoyed being in his company and listening to his stories (sometimes truthful, sometimes a bit embellished).
Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons David and his wife Kristie (Mayes) Borges of Southington, CT, and Matthew and his wife Kate (Signore) Borges of Bexley, OH; and three grandchildren: Bethany, Benjamin and Lucas. He was the brother of Barbara, Mary, Joseph and the late John Borges.
Karl and the entire family my wife Dawna and I offer our sincerest condolences for the loss of Kyle. Though we only knew her for a couple of short years she made us feel like life long friends. We knew anytime she was around it was going to be a fun night full of laughter. It was an absolute honor to have known such a beautiful lady..She will be so dearly missed. May her soul now rest in peace. God Bless Jim & Dawna Victoria
Beautiful obituary for a beautiful lady. She definitely lived up to her middle name by bringing "Joy" into others' lives. Rest in peace Debbie.
Karl W. Schauble, 46, of Barrington, RI, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 with his loving family with him. A son of Kenneth and Patricia (Condon) Schauble, he was a longtime resident of Barrington.
Karl was very active in his younger years, having played Little League baseball and running track and field in Barrington High School. He was an avid lover of all things Disney and Sci-Fi. He loved Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and many, many other movies. Karl also loved watching his beloved Red Sox and Patriots play and enjoyed playing video games. Karl worked as a Shift Manager at McDonald's for many years. He was very easy to get along with and leaves behind many lifelong of friends. But most of all, Karl loved his family and always cherished the family camping and hiking trips which he, as an amateur videographer, would make sure to document by following everyone around with his camcorder. His unique brand of humor will be missed by everyone he touched in life.
In addition to his loving parents, Kenneth and Patricia, Karl is survived by his sisters, Meghan Coyne and her husband Jason of Rehoboth, MA and Jessica Schauble and her Fiancé Chris Oldham of Warren, RI, and his nephews, Collin Schauble and Ethan Coyne and his niece, Madison Coyne.
I was so sorry to learn of Dot's passing. I have fond memories of attending my cousins' birthday parties and everyone eagerly waiting for Aunty Dot to arrive. She would always have some fun activities for us to do. She will be greatly missed. Kathy Rezendes
Kyle Teresa (MacKay) Antonevich, 72, of Bristol, passed away peacefully with her family on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Miriam Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Karl Antonevich with whom she shared nearly 60 years.
A daughter of the late John and Mildred (Casey) MacKay, she was born and raised in East Providence before settling in Barrington in 1994 where she raised her family, and eventually moved to Bristol.
Sending our deepest sympathy and prayers for all of Deb's family and friends. My husband and I first met her though the Bristol Mustangs and she was always fun, devoted and cared about everyone. That caring extended to her teaching as well, she would always have a kind comment on our children and even our grandchildren when they were at KMS. You will be missed but we know Heaven gained a very special angel. Sincerely, Michael and Mary Williams and Family
My heartfelt prayers and sympathies go out to all of Armand's family. His suffering is through. May he now rest in peace. I am sure his late daughter-in-law Nancy was there to welcome him home as he joined her in their eternal home. Thank you and God Bless you, Armand, for being such a great father and Pepere.
To Tommy and Kate. So sorry to hear about Deb, she was a great person and always smiling. I know she will be missed by all who knew her. We will keep her in our prayers and we as both of you
Patrick Thomas Varanese, 76, of West Greenwich, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Susan (Reyckert) Varanese with whom he shared 56 years. He was the father of the late Patrick and the late Jill Varanese.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Pasquale W. and the late Helen (Flannery) Varanese.
A 1964 graduate of Joseph Case High School, Patrick was part of the 1963 championship baseball team which was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2010. An avid New England sports fan, his favorite team to follow was the Patriots.
Patrick honorably served six years in the Army National Guard.
Patrick was great with numbers and had a successful career in finance. He began his profession at the Fall River Savings bank where he moved to the Rhode Island Housing Authority and eventually to NELS Student Loans. The last 22 years he worked as a Dealer and Game supervisor for Foxwoods Resort and Casino.
In addition to his wife Susan, he is survived by his grandson, Damien Varanese; siblings Sandra Guerriero, Joyce Emond, Susan Vilela, Patricia Affonso and Jane McDurman. He was the brother of the late Maureen and Jeffrey Varanese.
Dear Patricia and family, Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. May your many happy memories of him bring you peace and comfort. I always enjoyed talking to Jim. He will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Generation Funeral Director
Raymond is a third generation funeral director from a family of well known and respected funeral directors in Rhode Island. He was a graduate of Warren High School, He received an Associate's degree in business administration from Bristol Community College and earned his Associate Degree in Funeral Service from New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. Raymond worked in his family's funeral business for many years, before his association with the Smith Funeral & Memorial Services…
This association gives Raymond the opportunity to continue to serve the families that he has served in the past. Raymond is involved in his community and is a member of many local organizations.
He is married to Nancy (Tavares) Romano and they have three children. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family
So sorry, Tom and Katie... Deb was a wonderful person, loved by all... my heart has been with you guys for the last few difficult years... I will NEVER forget her.... I remember she'd call me Rikki Tikki Tavi... and I had to " research " who that was ... loved that girl!! ❤️ ... we will be away that first week of December, but our hearts will be with you ❤️
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Owner
- Generation Funeral Director
Rosemary is a third generation Funeral Director/Embalmer with a Preneed Counselor Certification from the National Funeral Director's Association. She is the daughter of Alice and Gus Smith, the sister of William A. Smith and the mother of Cathie Tattrie. She worked in the Medical Education field before her recent retirement. Life experience and business expertise make Rosemary the ideal person to discuss all of your funeral concerns for yourself and your loved ones.
Dear Ann and family, Dave and I are so sorry to hear of Anthony's passing. He was a great guy and will be missed. Sending our love and prayers...Dave & Roz
Sue, Pat was such a kind soul and a good friend. He was also so fortunate to have you in his life. You made a beautiful couple. RIP my friend. Rusty
Katie, your mom was always happy and upbeat. She loved you and was so proud of you. I miss her and her book recommendations. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stephanie Wirth
May your many happy memories help ease your sorrow ! I will keep you all in our prayers. Sincerely, Susan Taft -Colavecchio Wakefield, RI
Terrence J. Boylan, Sr., a remarkable soul who graced this world for 85 years. On Sunday, February 25, 2024, Terrence, affectionately known as Terry, bid farewell to this earthly journey, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with love, service, and spirit.
Born to the late James J. and Virginia A. Boylan, Terry's early years in Queens, New York City, laid the foundation for a life dedicated to service and leadership. A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, Terry served as the Weapons Officer aboard the USS Cromwell and USS DeLong after graduating from St. John's University, embodying courage and commitment to his country.
It was during his time at Naval Station Newport that Terry's path led him to Virginia E. Mahoney, the love of his life. Their love story unfolded in Barrington, RI, where Terry, served as the Principal of the Henry Barnard School in Providence. His journey continued in Marblehead, MA, where he served as the Elementary School Principal for the Coffin and Gerry Schools for nearly three decades, leaving an indelible mark on countless young lives.