O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home

Kenneth Gitman, of Seminole, FL, a beloved brother, uncle, and friend, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 96. Born in Bronx, NY on July 7, 1927 to Leo and Ella (Sonkin) Gitman. Kenneth lived his early years in Newport, RI where his love for fine dining, the beach and nature began. […]

Margaret “Peggy” Phelps of Newport passed away on February 11, 2024 in Satellite Beach, Florida surrounded by family and friends. Born June 17, 1940 to Louis F. Faerber and Dorothy (Kaull) Faerber. Peggy graduated from St. Catherine’s Academy in 1958 and went to work for the family business at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Newport […]

Blair Millicent Brigid Behan passed suddenly February 13, 2024 at her home in Rumford. Blair was born to David and Debbie on October 6, 1988. Granddaughter to the late Mike and Helen Behan of Newport and the late Millicent and Arthur Duggan of Tiverton. Blair lived with her parents in Tiverton until 2019 then gained […]

Joseph F. McEnness, 94 of Newport, RI passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Joe was born in Skaneateles, NY in 1929 to Joseph A. McEnness and Agnes O’Connor. He is survived by his children, Pamela McEnness Giannini and Joseph F. McEnness Jr., grandchildren Kyera Giannini […]

Patricia Ann “Patty” Kelly Martin, 74, of Newport, passed away on February 8, 2024, with her family by her side. The daughter of Thomas F. and Anna (Hamilton) Kelly, Patty was born on April 14, 1949. The fourth child but first girl, she was raised with high expectations and no exceptions for her gender, setting […]

Richard Owen Mason, 68, of East Greenwich, RI, formerly of Middletown, RI, passed away on February 1, 2024, surrounded by his family in North Kingstown, RI. Richard was born in Needham, MA to Robert and Betty (Owen) Mason on June 21, 1955. He was known for his care and compassion for others, working as a […]

James “Jim” Leone Thurman, 89, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024. James was born in Macomb, IL on January 9, 1935, a son of the late Jay L. Thurman and Ethel (Cash) Thurman, one of two children. He graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, where he met Virginia L. (Ponsetti) […]

Sherry L. Kelly, 75, of Little Compton, Rhode Island, entered into rest on January 19, 2024. Sherry was born on April 9,1948, in Fall River, Massachusetts and is predeceased by her husband Robert “Larry” Kelly, and her parents Franklin A. Leach and Ruth Cobb Leach. After graduating from Kents Hill School in 1967, Sherry went […]

Jane Harrington Bethune, 78, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 14, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jane was born in Newport to Mary Louise Harrington (née Turner) and James Gilbert Harrington on August 20, 1945. She graduated from Rogers High School in 1963 and obtained a […]

Lois C. Chase, 83, of Middletown, RI died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Newport Hospital after complications from a cancerous tumor. She was one of twins born in Maryville, Tennessee, on March 2, l940, to Clarence and Henrietta (McKelvey) Curtis. Her twin sister, Doris Lee, died at age five months. Lois attended Friendsville High School […]

Alice Marie (O’Hara) Turek, 92, passed away on January 11, 2024 at Apple Rehab Shelton Lakes in Shelton, CT where she was lovingly cared for by the staff for the past five years. Alice was born in New York City, NY on May 20, 1931, the daughter of Martin and Alice (Boyle) O’Hara where she […]

William Bergh “Bill” Gamble, 73, of Newport, RI passed away on January 5, 2024, in Newport RI. He was born in Boston, MA to James L. Gamble & Alberta (Bergh) Gamble on September 28, 1951. Bill was a graduate of Milton Academy, Trinity College BA ’74, University of Miami ‘JD ’78, LLM ’79, University of […]

With a heavy heart, the family of Matthew Kusinitz wishes to report his passing. He died on November 21, 2023 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer and is succeeded by his wife Marilyn and his child Nathaniel. Born in Newport, RI on April 8, 1952, to Sam and Rita Kusinitz, […]

Guenter (Günter Sr) Kern of Clay Street, Newport, RI passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was the husband of Rita Teresa (Bencivenga) Kern. He was born in Oldenberg, Germany on March 28, 1935, to Wilhelm and Gretel Kern. Raised in Germany and having served in the German Navy during the rearmament era in […]

Michelle Madden, 87, who peacefully passed away on December 31, 2023 in Newport, RI, surrounded by her family. Michelle, beloved wife of the late Robert Madden “Bob” for 42 years, was born and raised in Boston, MA, the daughter of the late Dr. Michael McGarty and Catherine (Garrity) McGarty. A graduate of Sacred Heart High […]

Marilyn Ann “Lyn” Kelley, 86 of Newport, RI passed away on December 24, 2023 at St. Clare Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. Lyn was the daughter of Rose (Toppa) Nelson and Frederick Nelson. After graduating from Saint Catherine’s Academy, she raised five children in Newport and then embarked on her journey through life, earning […]

Margaret F. “Peggy” Palmer 72, of Newport, RI and Longboat Key, FL, died peacefully on December 22, 2023, at her home with her family by her side. She was the loving wife of William V. Cooney, of 20 years. Born in Newport, RI on June 19, 1951, she was the daughter to the late Margaret […]

Theresa Wilson, 70 of Newport, RI passed away December 22, 2023, at Village House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Newport. Born in Portsmouth, VA, she was a daughter of the late Jacob J. Wilson and Elizabeth (Murphy) Wilson. Theresa lived most of her life in Newport. She had a very sweet and loving personality. She […]

With great sadness we announce that Daniel Patrick Cleary, 21, tragically passed away on December 17, 2023 in Charlton, MA. Daniel was born in Attleboro, MA on July 8, 2002 to his proud parents Sean and Jennifer (Connolly) Cleary. His brother Brendon couldn’t wait to be his protective older brother. Daniel grew up in North […]

John L. “Jack” Sweeney, 88, of Newport, RI passed away December 7, 2023 in Newport. He was the husband of Lisa (Hoikala) Sweeney. Born October 14, 1935 in Roxbury, MA, he was the son of the late Lawrence T. Sweeney and Gertrude (McMorrow) Sweeney. Jack graduated from Bridgewater College with a bachelor’s degree and began […]

William E. O’Reilly, 75, of Newport, RI, died unexpectedly at his home on December 7, 2023. He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene, and Eileen (O’Connell) O’Reilly, and brothers, Joseph, John, and Brian O’Reilly. He left behind his wife of 46 years, Barbara O’Reilly (nee Prietzschk).  Bill loved his farm, Ballymachree, and spent many years […]

Brenda Margolis passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023, in Lewisville, Texas. She was 79. She was the wife of late Maurice Margolis. Whether family, friends or the thousands of strangers who flocked to eat her food, Brenda Margolis never met anyone she wasn’t happy to cook for. The daughter of the late Irving and […]

Jerome R. Kirby Jr. died on December 3, 2023. He was the son of the late Jerome R. Kirby and Ann Mulligan Kirby. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years Helen C. Kirby, his sister Ann Kirby and brother James W. Kirby. Educated in Newport public schools, Jerry attended Portsmouth Priory and graduated […]

Constance “Connie” Sullivan McAuliffe was born in Newport, RI on September 1, 1932, to Cornelius and Catherine (Fagan) Sullivan, and passed peacefully on November 29, 2023, at the age of 91. Connie worked at St. Clare Newport for 25 years as an Activities Assistant until her retirement, while also serving as a hair stylist for […]

Rosalyn E. Schmelzer, 101, of Middletown, RI passed away on November 24, 2023 at Blenheim-Newport. Rosalyn was born in Poland to Saul Arbeit and Frieda (Kaswan) Arbeit on April 14, 1922. She went to high school at New Eutrecht High School in Brooklyn, NY, and graduated in 1938. She worked for Kirby Insurance for twenty-six […]