Ennio Mario Occhi

Portsmouth, RI - Ennio Mario Occhi, 78, of 2221 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, died Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at the Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Dina Berti Occhi. Born in Mariano, Parma, Italy on August 15, 1925, he was the son of the late Albino and Albina Ricci Occhi. Mr. Occhi was the owner and operator of the Valley Inn Restaurant in Portsmouth, RI. He was in the United States Army during the Korean War and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. After his discharge from the Army, he worked in many restuarnts in Palm Beach, FL, New York City, NY and Newport, RI at the former MK Hotel, the Spouting Rock Beach Association and athe Newport Country Club, before purchasing the Cornell House to start the Valley Inn in June of 1957. Mr. Occhi was a member of St. Barnabas Church, where he was a Eucaristic Minister and Lector, a member of the Middletown Knights of Columbus 4201, the James L. Maher Center, the Green Valley Country Club and he also helped organized the Joseph Chaves Golf Tournament. Mr. Occhi enjoyed being in his vegetable garden and being with his grandchildren. Besides his wife of 49 years he is survived by two sons Joseph B. Occhi of Portsmouth, RI, and Michael Occhi of Little Compton, RI, his daughter Maryann White of Little Compton, RI, five grandsons Mario Occhi, Matthew Occhi and Michael Occhi all of Portsmouth, RI, William White and Richard White both of Little Compton, RI, his granddaughter Elizabeth White of Little Compton, RI, two brothers Rev. Don Luigi Occhi Pastor of a Catholic Church in Castelenouvo, VT, Italy, and Dante Occhi Portsmouth, RI, and several nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held on Monday, December 22, 2003, at 9:00 AM from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the James L. Maher Center, PO Box 4390, Middletown, RI 02842 and to the St. Barnabas Church Building Fund, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.