Obituaries

Anna M. DeSousa, 63, of Portsmouth, passed away at home with her family by her side on June 5, 2021. Anna was born in Faial, Açores, to the late Henrique and Anna (Faria) Moitoso. She immigrated to the US in 1969 with her parents and siblings. She grew up and lived in RI, until she […]

Manuel G. Moitoza, III, age 83, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on June 9, 2021. Manuel was born in Newport, RI to the late Manuel and Esther (Rose) Moitoza Daniels. As a young man, Manuel joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany as a member of the Paratroopers. During his time in […]

via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Norma Olmstead Campbell, of  Newport, RI  passed away after a lengthy illness, at home on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the age of 93. Norma was born at Newport Hospital August 21, 1927, to Edith (Smith) and Harold Olmstead. In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by […]

via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Christopher E. (Chris) Emerson, 52, of North Kingstown, passed away on June 8, 2021, after a valiant and courageous fight for his mental health. He leaves behind a heartbroken wife of 25 years, Colleen Kelly Emerson, their two children, Matthew Christopher and Cailin Elizabeth, and his dear companion, Ruby. A native of […]

Richard A. Peckham, 88, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away on June 9, 2021. Richard was born in Fall River, MA to the late Richard and Marjorie (Hall) Peckham of Portsmouth. Richard was the husband to the late Lieselotte Peckham. Richard was a carpenter for local contractors. He also built houses to rent for himself. He […]

Joseph P. Cabral, 61, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away in the Grand Islander Nursing Home on June 9, 2021. Joseph was born in Newport, RI to Mariano and Annie (Ferraro) Cabral. Joseph worked at Dunkin Donuts as a baker. He also worked locally as a carpenter for many years. Outside of work he was […]

David G. McAuliffe, age 95, of Middletown, RI, passed away on May 15, 2021 at home. He was the beloved husband of Robin (Leso) McAuliffe for over 40 years. David was born in Providence, RI to the late Simon and Catherine McAuliffe. He joined the US Army as a young man and served in the […]

Larry Kieffer was born August 14, 1970 in Doylestown PA. Larry passed away at home in Newport. Larry survived by his father Robert Lee Kieffer SR.,step mom Edna Kieffer from Fall River Mass, Daughter Sarah Elizabeth Kieffer Son In-Law Saul Rivera from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Larry Kieffer JR from Coventry Rhode Island, Step daughter Ashley […]

Manuel “Manny” Zapanta, 81, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away, with family present, on May 28, 2021 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, MA. Manny was born in Guagua, Philippines, to Maria Calma and Apolonio Zapanta. Manny was married to Maria (Nieves) Zapanta, for 40 years. Manny proudly served in the United States Navy […]

Claudia Leander, age 84, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, May 28, 2021. Claudia was born in Newport, RI to Manuel and Mabel Russell. In her early years, Claudia was a loving daughter and an exceptional student who enjoyed all that life had to offer. Her strength of spirit […]

Ernest A. VanDeusen, age 68 of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on June 5, 2021. Ernie was born in Newport, Rhode Island to his late parents Ernest D. and Mary Rose (Silvia) VanDeusen on May 21, 1953. Ernie spent his adult life raising awareness and advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities. He is survived by […]

via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Marianne Elisabeth Verena (Wolfensberger) Jarzombek passed away June 7, 2021 in Newport RI at the age of 95. She was the wife of the late Henry Jarzombek. She was born in Mannheim, Germany. Her 13th birthday turned out to be Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938). As she recalled in her writings: “Walking […]

Lisa Vaughn Sullivan-Grosskurth, 59, of Newport passed away unexpectedly at home Tuesday June 1, 2021. Born in Hartford, CT on February 25, 1962 she was the daughter of the late Frederick A. and Mary E. “Sis” (Quinn) Sullivan. In 1968 the family returned to Newport where Lisa attended Jesus Saviour School and graduated from Our […]

via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Elizabeth Violet (Annelli) Bucci, of Newport, RI passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the age of 91. Elizabeth was born in Middletown, CT to Caesare and Veronica (Yamrok) Annelli on September 5, 1929. She was the youngest and remaining survivor of 16 siblings. “Betty” moved to Newport, R.I. at a young age.  She […]

William Neill Coffey, age 43, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on May 31, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Born in Newport, RI on June 21, 1977, he was the only son of Neill Freeman and Diane Carmody Coffey. After graduating from Middletown High School in 1996, Billy proudly worked alongside his father for the […]

Francis X. Mendonça, 81, of Middletown, RI, passed away on June 1, 2021. He was born in Newport, RI to the late Frank and Inez (Carreiro) Mendonça and was the husband of Ellie (Amaral) Mendonça for 63 years. Francis was a pipefitter and serviceman for the Providence Gas Company from which he retired after more […]

via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Charles “Charlie” Ray Rodrigues passed unexpectedly to his Eternal Home on May 29, 2021 in Garner, NC.  He was the son of Colette (Senior) and the late Manuel “Manny” Rodrigues of Middletown, RI. Charlie will be deeply missed by his family and sons; Branden Duboise of Fall River, MA and […]

Michelle Ann (Spencer) Pico, 53, of Newport, passed away at home on Monday, May 31, 2021. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Linda (Spencer) Pico and Godofredo “Fred” Pico of Tiverton. Michelle lived her life through the lens of her heart, giving more than she had and showering her friends and family with […]

John Crouse Burney, Jr., was born on April 6th, 1924 in Little Falls, NY. After service as an enlisted man and aviation cadet during World War II, he entered West Point with the Class of ’46. At West Point, in Company F-1, his goal was to stand high enough in his class to be assigned […]

A man about town, bon vivant, artist and interior designer, gourmet cook and friend to many Newporters, John Peter Sawicki passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 after a long battle with leukemia. Born in Bronx, NY and raised in Whitestone, NY, he was a graduate of Parson School of Design where he majored in […]

Raymond C. Mello, 63, of Middletown, passed away on May 28, 2021. Raymond was born in Newport, RI, to George and Frances (Bernhardt) Mello. Raymond was fascinated about trucks and trucking, which got him into his career as a truck driver. He was like a truck encyclopedia; he was the one to call when anyone […]

Lawrence E. Feeney, III, age 66, of Portsmouth, RI and formerly of Lincoln, RI, passed away unexpectedly on May 28, 2021. He was the loving husband of Maureen Greichen of Portsmouth. Lawrence was born in Providence, RI to the late Lawrence Feeney Jr. and G. Joyce (Mullins) Feeney. He graduated from Pilgrim High School and […]

David Wood, 83, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2021 at home in Portsmouth. David was born February 22, 1938, in Benson, NC. to Milburn and Allene (Stewart) Wood.David was married to Rita (Lynch) Wood for 63 years. Dave is survived by his wife Rita, and his sons, Michael F. Wood […]

Ruffino G. “Phino” Loyola, 65, passed away at Rhode Island Hospital on May 16, 2021 with his family by his side. Born in Naples, Italy to the late Amado C. Loyola Sr. and Lucia A. (Gelenge) Loyola, Phino and his brothers were moved to Newport, RI around 1968 where he resided until his death. Phino […]

Peter, surrounded by his family, died peacefully after a short illness. A lifelong resident of Aquidneck Island, Peter spent his childhood with his parents, George and Helen Piltz, in Middletown, Rhode Island. He attended St. Michael’s School in Newport before beginning at St. George’s School in 1962, graduating in 1966. While at St. George’s he […]