Obituaries

Elvera (Corey) Raspanti Jenkins, age 96 of Jensen Beach, FL, passed away on January 8, 2023. Vera was born in Portsmouth, RI on April 29, 1926 to the late John and Emily (White) Corey. She left Portsmouth at an early age for work in Washington, DC at Civil Service, where she was employed for over […]

Hugh A. Ebbitt, 73, of Newport, RI, passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 8, 2023. He was the husband of Irene (Venancio) Ebbitt for 42 years. Hugh was born in Newport, to the late Paul and Thelma (Halverson) Ebbitt. He grew up enjoying the beauty of Aquidneck Island and became an […]

Joseph R. (Dick) Sardinha, age 89, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island and Naples, Florida, passed away on January 6, 2023 at home. He was the devoted husband of Janet (Warner) Sardinha for 67 years. Joseph was born in Newport to the late Joseph and Mary (Castanho) Sardinha. He is survived by his wife, Janet and his […]

Derek W. Blackman, 87, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023, at home in Jamestown, RI. He was the beloved husband of Priscilla (Burr) Blackman. Born in the County of Kent, UK, he attended Maidstone Grammar School and soon after was called up for National Service in the British Army where he was assigned to the […]

Flournoy “Floyd” Hightower, 75 of Middletown, RI, passed away on January 3, 2023, at the Grand Islander Nursing Home. Flournoy was born in Dade County, FL to the late James and Mildred (Morgan) Hightower. Flournoy is survived by his wife Cindy Hightower, children Alex Hightower and Lazandra Hightower, stepchildren Casey, Lindsey, Sarah and Kaitlin. His […]

Barbara Fitzgerald “Bobbie” Bell was peacefully called home with her loving family by her side on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Born in Newport, RI on December 7, 1939, to Evelyn F. and Edward W. Fitzgerald, the beloved Ma Bell called the Fifth Ward home for her lifetime. She was a graduate of St. Catherine’s Academy […]

Rosemary Rolando, age 83, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on January 6, 2023 at Newport Hospital. Rosemary was born in Newport to Mario and Florence (Savory) Rolando. She worked for Child & Family Services for several years taking care of the elderly, a job she found very rewarding. She was a long time communicant […]

Stanley J. Shoppell, 64, of Middletown, RI unexpectedly passed away on December 31, 2022. He was born in Portsmouth, VA on June 28, 1958, to Catherine E. (Hegarty) and Samuel J. Shoppell, Jr. Stanley graduated from Rogers High School. He worked as an exceptional contractor and craftsman for several companies in Rhode Island. Stanley helped […]

Marie E. (Stricker) Paiva, 86, of Middletown, RI, died on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. She was the wife of Arthur Joseph Paiva. Born in Baltimore, MD on January 18, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Isabel (Mason) Stricker. Marie served in the US Air Force from 1958 to 1959. She […]

Maria Ernestine Gizzi Charles of Revere, Massachusetts died on January 3rd in Newport, RI. Maria graduated Revere High School in 1975 and attended Salem State College, where she graduated in 1980, being awarded a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education. Maria spent her life caring and being in service of others. She received a service […]

Eleanor Langton Murphy (born Eleanor Theresa Langton) died on December 28, 2022 at the Grand Islander nursing home. She was 95 years old. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on November 8, 1927, she was predeceased by her parents, Mary (Waters), and Joseph T. Langton and her husband, William C Murphy Sr. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, […]

Theodore Tasch Chambers Jr., 66, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away suddenly on December 24, 2022, at Newport Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Tina (de Mello) Chambers. Theodore was born January 4, 1956, in the Bronx, NY to Theodore and Jeanne Chambers. Ted served in the U.S. Navy as well as the Rhode […]

Shirley L. Zdanuk, 92, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away on December 30, 2022 in AdviniaCare Southpointe Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late MMCM Anthony F. Zdanuk, Sr., USN, Ret., for 58 years. Shirley was born in Shelton, CT, to the late Alfred and Genevieve (Thompson) Cotnoir. She grew up in a large […]

Nancy Bolster Fales, beloved companion of Donald T. Madieros of Tiverton, RI, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022, in St. Anne’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was 81. Nancy was the daughter of the late John Richmond Fales and Barbara Bolster Fales and preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor “Ellie” Fales […]

Nicholas “Nick” Meriwether Stephens (1934-2022), of Hopkinton, MA and formerly Portsmouth, RI, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 22, 2022, at the Milford Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. He is the son of the late Louisa Smith Barnard and Roosevelt Goethals Thayer, and was later adopted by Theophilus Stuart Stephens. He is […]

John Brennan’s remarkable life tells the story of Newport’s last 7 decades, of its proud Irish heritage, and about the self-made men and women – from Ireland and other countries – whose tenacity and courage helped build something beautiful in the country they adopted and cherished. Born just outside of Sneem, County Kerry, Ireland, John […]

Katherine C. Pridgen of Portsmouth Rhode Island passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 29, 2022. She was born in Torrington, Connecticut to Harry Clark and Leona Hull. Katherine was a retired Army Veteran. After retirement she joined the Navy Exchange where she worked for 25 years making countless lifelong friends that […]

On December 28th, Cynthia Louise Simmons, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, friend, and wife passed away in her home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Robert Hurley. Cindy was born at Newport Hospital to the late Alexander and Mary Simmons who operated Simmons Farm, in Middletown. She was one of five children and […]

Jean R. Wilson, 74 of Newport, RI, passed away December 29, 2022. She was born in Baltimore, MD on September 22, 1948. She was the daughter of the late Jacob and Elizabeth (Murphy) Wilson.  Jean worked as a CNA at various nursing homes in Newport. She was also a caregiver for her sister, Teresa for […]

Lois G. Remong, age 83, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully in Newport Hospital on December 19, 2022, with her family by her side. Born in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Gwyn and Corneila (Reese) Remong. She was a lifelong resident of Newport, born and raised in the “5th Ward” on Houston Avenue. […]

Margaret Berard (née Grey), age 85, loving wife and mother of four children, passed away on December 25, 2022. Margaret was born on July 17, 1937, in Woonsocket, RI, to Michael and Madeline Grey. She received her Nursing degree from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. On August 20, 1960, she married Raymond […]