Edward Stoker, Jr

Newport, RI - Edward Chappy Stoker, Jr., 91, of Newport, RI, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. He died peacefully surrounded by his family. Born in Newport, RI on December 26, 1917, he was the son of the late Edward Stoker, Sr. and Mary Pike Stoker. He married his late wife, Rita Stein Stoker September 5, 1940. They were married 48 years before she passed away March 28, 1988.Chappy joined the United States Marines corps in 1933 when he was seventeen years old. During his time in the Marines, he served in World War II and the Korean War. He received several honors including Presidential Unit Citation Ribbons, Blue Enamel Star, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbons, and two Purple Hearts. He was very proud but humble to have served his country. After serving in the Marines, he worked for Manuel Brothers until he bought a packaging company called Chap Pak Packaging. After years in this business he sold the company to Greene Industries. He continued to work for them until he retired. In 1990, he began working as a Security Guard for a firm in Newport, RI to help pass the time. He was a member of the Rotary Club and a lifetime member of the Newport Elks Lodge. One of his favorite pastimes was going to the Newport Creamery. He leaves four children, Carl Stoker and his wife Janet Stoker of Portsmouth, RI, Deborah Stoker Raposa of Middletown, RI, David Stoker and his wife Debbie Stoker of Middletown, RI and Caren Stoker Cole and her husband David Cole of Newport, RI. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was the father of the late Linda Diane Stoker and the brother of the late Francis Stoker.There was nothing Chappy enjoyed more than spending time with his family and friends. He always welcomed everyone with a smile. He was a genuinely good man who made friends everywhere he went, while keeping the ones that he has known for years. We will hold our memories deep in our hearts and remember all of the good times that we shared with him. He will be sadly missed and forever loved.Our family would like to say our most sincere thank you to everyone who has contributed to his wonderful life. He had so many family members and dear friends who have been with him through the good times and the bad. We would like to send a special thank you to the Grand Islander Health Care Center and Beacon Hospice for all of their love, support and dedication to Chappy. A funeral service will be held in his honor on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. A funeral procession will be formed at 9:30am at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, followed by a graveside service at 10:00AM in Middletown Cemetery, corner of Turner and Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI.