Arthur Riebello Soares

Newport, RI - Arthur Riebello Soares Sr., 76, of 89 Bliss Mine Road, Newport, formerly of 115 Houston Avenue, Newport, RI, died Monday, March 15, 2004 at home.He was the husband of Lois Marie Howes Soares. Born in Middletown, RI on September 23, 1927, he was the son of the late Manuel R. and Rosie A. Vincent Soares. As a young man Mr. Soares worked for his uncle Vinny Vincent in Tiverton, as a gas attendant, then moved to Newport, where he worked for J.T. OConnell Co., delivering grain, until the second World War Conflict. He then joined the Army in 1945 and served with the Blue Devils, in Italy with the 349th infantry regiment and the 88th division. He received the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war he returned to J. T. OConnell and Broadway Hardware where he did installing of counters, floors, walls, and did many other jobs including sales and lawn mower repairs. He left that job after 31 years of service. After that he went to work for the Newport Housing Authority as their mechanic and many other jobs that were needed, until he retired after 19 years of service to them. After the Newport Housing Authority he went to work as a maintenance man at Rocky Hall on Bellevue Avenue, for the Edith Munroe Estate until the estate was sold in 1995. He was a communicant of St. Augustins Church. Mr. Soares was a member of the K of C Newport Council #256 3rd degree and a member of the former American Legion. Besides his wife of 56 years he is survived by his son Arthur R. Soares Jr. of Peru, NY, two daughters Nancy Lee Soares Johnson of Willow Springs, NC, and Patricia Ann Soares Roberts of Portsmouth, RI, six grandchildren Robert Johnson of Garner, NC, Craig Johnson of Benson, NC, Michael Roberts of Columbia, SC, Melissa Larney Roberts of West Warwick, RI, James M. Roberts of Middletown, RI, Amber Marie Lynn Roberts and Arthur J. Soares Gatta both of Portsmouth, RI, and six great grandchildren, Joshua Johnson of North Carolina, Jared Johnson of North Carolina, Justine Labonte of Portsmouth, RI, Michael Roberts of Columbia, SC, Cassidy Roberts of West Warwick, RI, and Brad Larney of West Warwick, RI.He was the brother of the late Manuel R. Soares.His funeral service will be held on Friday, March 19, 2004, at 10:00AM, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services Of Newport Bristol Cos, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.