2010-2019, RI, Compiled by James W. Blankenship jkblank1(at)sbcglobal.net

 

Kent                                                                                                                  

 

2013, Warwick, Kent Co., RI, Obituary

Published in The Providence Journal on Nov. 20, 2013

Agnes E. (Boyd) Martin, 93, of Warwick passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013 at South County Nursing & Rehabilitation. She was the wife of the late Edward J. Martin. Born in Warwick, she was a daughter of the late James and Octive P. (Boucher) Boyd.

Mrs. Martin was a Group Leader for Narragansett Electric Co. for 15 years until her retirement. She was a member of SS Rose and Clement Parish in Warwick. She was the mother of the late David Grady.

Caring grandmother of Lisa and David Grady of Arizona. Loving aunt of Denise Boyd, Wayne Boyd and the late Joan Blankenship. Cherished grandaunt of Wanda, Naomi and William Blankenship. She is also survived by several great grandnieces and great grandnephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 9:00-10:30 am in The Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Clement Church, 111 Long Street, Warwick. Burial in St. Ann Cemetery.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Newport                                                                                                            

 

+2018, Middletown, Newport Co., RI, Death

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/John-Blankenship-obituary?pid=189064967

John Blankenship, Apr 8, 1949 – May 14, 2018 (Age 69), Newport, Rhode Island.

O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2018, Middletown, Newport Co., RI, Obituary

https://oneillhayes.com/tribute/details/1173/John-Blankenship/obituary.html#tribute-start

John Thomas Blankenship, 69, of Middletown, RI passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital on Monday, May 14, 2018 after a long courageous battle with Mantle cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was born on April 8, 1949 in Oceanside, California, to Wiley T. and Julia A. Blankenship of Middletown, RI. 

John will always be remember as a loving brother, uncle, and friend who always had a helping hand ready to assist anyone in need and a crazy sense of humor. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1967 and attended Johnson & Wales University, University of Rhode Island and graduated from Roger Williams College with an education degree.

John taught at Gaudet School for 2 years. After layoffs from the naval departure, John worked for the Director of the shipyard for 11 years. He rescued many a stray or feral cat, at one point he had 8 cats. He happily worked for the City of Newport for 22 years. He was the Ambassador of Easton’s Beach and also worked at the Hut.

John was always seen at the beach with a smile on his face, sparkling blue eyes and a helping hand for anyone in need. John was a teaser to all who knew him from toddlers to seniors and could make anyone and everyone laugh. He was a history buff, especially when it came to WWII.  As a teen he took drum lessons but he also had an ear for music. He played piano, organ, harmonica, and loved the guitar. His favorite moments were sitting in the backyard with his sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews teasing everyone over barbequing and playing guitars and singing. His eyes were as big and blue as the Newport coastline.

John is predeceased by Dennis M. Blankenship.

John is survived his sisters, Joyce A. Withers of Dix Hills, NY, Patti Visser of Middletown, RI and Paul W. Blankenship of Washington, DC. He also leaves nieces and nephews; Sean, Dan, Bryan, Denise, Stephanie, Craig, Lexi, Tory and Tia and grand nieces and grand nephews.

At John’s request burial will be private.  A celebration of John’s life is planned for June.

 

San Diego Co., CA, Birth Index, http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com/

Blankenship, John Thomas, M, b.1949/04/08 - Konitsky

 

2018, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI, Obituary

The Kansas City Star, (MO) - February 3, 2019

Our sister, Sharon Annette (Gueguen) Joseph, 83, died peacefully at her assisted-living residence in Tiverton, RI, on Sunday, December 23, 2018, with her family by her side.

She had no illness, was not in pain, had time for her husband, Bert, and four daughters, Annette, Amy, Adriene, and Allison and her three sisters, Joyce Ramsey in New Braunfels, TX, Mary Pat Miller in Overland Park, KS, and Loretta Broker, Lohman, MO to say their goodbyes, singing and praying together and send her on her way. We wonder if our brother, Jack, who had died just nine days before, was asking her to come Home for Christmas to be with our Mother and Daddy.

Sharon and Bert met on a "blind date" (arranged by a fellow teacher, Sister Pierre, OSB,) for a Valentine's Day Dance at St. Joseph's High School in Shawnee, KS where she was teaching English in 1958. They married the following December and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary four days after her death. She also leaves three sisters-in-law, Catherine Blankenship, Olathe, KS., Margaret and Jeanette in Arizona,, and six grandchildren and one great-grandson. She was on the telephone with her sisters just days before her death singing "Silent Night" with her daughters. What a wonderful memory she left them. We could hear her voice above all the rest.

Her brother, Jack, who lived in Kirkwood, MO, predeceased her nine days before on Dec. 14 as did her parents, John and Marjorie Gueguen in 1992 and 1997, respectively.

Sharon was born and grew up in Lexington, MO. (We have often mused that our "Heavenly Home” might resemble a "glorified" 200 N. 16th Street, the home we loved so much.) Sharon was in the Lexington High School class of 1953 and earned her BA at Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, KS, class of 1957. Sharon was a long-time resident of Cranston, RI, parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Church and member of the Providence Singers who performed on national television one Christmas Eve. What a thrill for the family! Sharon brought into the lives of those who knew her, especially her family, joy, laughter, and song. We will miss her presence among us.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, December 31 at St. Bernard Church in North Kingstown, RI, with burial at the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery where her beloved husband will join her one day

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2018, Cumberland, Providence Co., RI, Obituary

The Times, (Pawtucket, RI) - December 11, 2018

Lionel Walter Richard, 77, passed away surrounded by his devoted family. Born in Central Falls, he was a son of the late Raoul and Lillian (Berger) Richard. He leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Annette Richard.

Lionel was a member of the US Air Force, where he learned his trade, HVAC, and owned JLR Associates. He was a devoted fan of the Providence College Friars as well as Patriots Football and enjoyed going to Twin River or as he called it, "The Shrine". He was in the band, Generations, where he loved playing the trumpet and spending time with his friends. He also enjoyed vacationing with his wife, Annette, to Alaska, Aruba, Hawaii, Florida, and St. Maarten and adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Besides his wife he is survived by his children John Richard, wife Paola; Kim Bolano, husband Silver, Lisa Seiber, husband Chris; Melissa Reardon, fiance Rob Reno; grandchildren Dianna Richard, Jessica Blankenship, Jonathan and Sarah Bolano, Jena Seiber, Rachel, Reagan, and Reilly Reardon, Katrina and Aaron Savastano; great grandchildren Nathan and Jacob Richard, Hailey and Ryan Blankenship, Sivel and Azariah Bolano, Xavier and Jackson Montalvan; brother Ferdinand Richard, wife Rose Marie. He was the brother of the late Paul, Marcel, Normand and Robert Richard.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, December 12, at Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higginson Ave., Lincoln. Burial will be private.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2010, Providence, Providence Co., RI, Obituary

Published in The Providence Journal on July 24, 2010

Blankenship, Dennis M., 59, passed away July 22nd at Home & Hospice Care of RI. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Wiley T. and Julia (Konitsky) Blankenship.

Dennis worked as a shipping supervisor for Colibri.

He had been the husband of Katherine L. (Palka) Blankenship for 32 years.

He was the father of Denise M. Maser and Stephanie D. Blankenship; brother of Joyce Withers, Patti Visser and John and Paul Blankenship.

Visitation will be held Monday morning, 9:30-11:00 a.m followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. in the POntarelli-Marino Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. Burial will be private.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2014, Providence, Providence Co., RI, Obituary

Published in The Westerly Sun from Feb. 26 to Mar. 15, 2014

Norman Eugene Brown, Jr., 43, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, in Providence, R.I. "Stormin Norman", a member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, was born in Norwich, CT, on Jan. 24, 1970. He was the son of Norman E. "Thunderbolt" Brown, Sr., of Hope Valley and Sharon E. Alexander of Charlestown.

Norman was a skilled plasterer, stone mason and artist. He had a great love for the outdoors, seafood and family.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his two daughters, Brittany Blankenship and Desiree Johnson, both of North Carolina, three grandsons, Cameron, Rywan and Adrian, and his sister Anna Brown-Jackson of Narragansett. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Ethel Brown, paternal grandfathers Elmore Alexander and Lawrence Whitford, Sr., two nephews, Allan and Myers Jackson, and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

Norman was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ellison "Tarzan" Brown, and his maternal grandmother Olive Johnson Whitford.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Norman's funeral service on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 10 a.m., in the S.R. Avery Funeral Home, 3A Bank Street, Hope Valley, R.I. Burial will be private.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2015, Providence, Providence Co., RI, Obituary

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Vincent-Palka&lc=7417&pid=175933186&mid=6608966

Vincent A. Palka III, 59, passed away peacefully at home September 24, 2015.

He was the beloved husband of Tammy (Aidala) Palka; son of the late Vincent A. and Leonora (DiPanni) Palka; father of Vincent A. Palka IV and his companion Lauren, Paul Tremblay and Anthony R. Palka; brother of Anna Marie Pitron, Katherine Blankenship, Teresa Pennachia and Louis Palka; papa of 3; son-in-law of Vincent and Arleen Aidala; and brother-in-law of Kimberly Aidala. He also leaves nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved dog Gia.

Vinny was a supervisor for Continental engineering and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was also an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. Vinny will be remembered as a peaceful, loving family man with an infectious smile.

Funeral on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. from the Pontarelli-Marino Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 1804 Atwood Avenue, Johnston. Graveside burial with military honors will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Washington                                                                                                      

 

2019, Charlestown, Washington Co., RI, Obituary

The Narragansett Times, (Wakefield, RI) - June 28, 2019

Norman E. Brown, Sr. "Thunderbolt", 75 years old of Charlestown, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on, Sunday, June 23, 2019. He was the youngest of four children born to the late Two-time Boston Marathon Winner, and U.S. Olympian, Ellison Myers "Tarzan" Brown, Sr. And Ethel M. (Wilcox) Brown.

Thunderbolt was a proud member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Hard work was no stranger to him through out his life. He was a skilled stone mason and construction worker. One of the jobs he prided himself on the most was being airlifted by helicopter to clean and polish the "Independent Man" atop the Rhode Island State House. He had a strong and undying love for family, and spent his days at the pond and mushrooming.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Norman E. "Stormin" Brown, Jr. and his siblings, Ellison M. "Sonny" Brown, Jr., Ethel M. "Sis" Brown, and Marlene (Brown) Monroe.

He is survived by his daughter, Anna Brown-Jackson of Narragansett, four grandchildren, Brittany (David) Blankenship, Allan (Audrey) Jackson, Jr. and Myers Jackson of Rhode Island, and Desiree Johnson of North Carolina, four great grandsons, Rywan Jr., Cameron, Adrian and Michael. He is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at 1 pm, at the Narragansett Indian Tribe's Longhouse located at 4425 South County Trail in Charlestown, RI. He will be buried in the Wilcox Indian Burial Ground in Charlestown, RI at a later date.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com