Benjamin E. Hall Jr

Portsmouth, - Benjamin E. Hall Jr., 76, of 191 West Shore Road, Portsmouth, died Friday, April 1, 2005, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.He was the husband of Claudette Gagon Hall, and the late Sue Brown Hall. Born in Fall River, MA, on January 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Benjamin Hall and Etta Korzeneski Hall.Mr. Hall had worked as a welder for the Newport Electric Corporation for over 20 years, retiring in 1991. He was a Veteran of the US Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Hall had also worked on the construction of the Newport and Sakonnet River Bridges, as well as the building of Pier 1 and Pier 2 at the Newport Naval Base. Mr. Hall also helped in the removal of the old Sakonnet Bridge following the hurricane of 1954. He had also worked on waterfront projects in Newport. He was a former member of the Carpenters Union Local #176. Mr. Hall was an avid fisherman and boater. He was also a longtime member of the NRA. Besides his wife he is survived by a son Benjamin J. Hall of Newport, RI, two daughters Cathleen VanHof of Portsmouth, RI, and Sandra Hall of Portsmouth, RI, two sisters Mary Nowlan of Portsmouth, RI, and Barbara Johnson of Attleboro, MA, three grandchildren Brandon R. Hall of Newport, RI, Hillary VanHof of Portsmouth, RI, and Eleanor VanHof of Portsmouth, RI, and his beloved dog Cooper.He was preceded in death by a son David Hall and a sister Joanne Packard.Funeral services and burial will be private.Memorial donations may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI, 02871.Arrangements are by the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.