George A. Wardwell

Chief Petty Officer George Arthur Wardwell, USN Ret., of Middletown, RI, passed into eternal life on January 6, 2016.He was born on June 1, 1942 in Bath, ME.George is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Edna (Ribera) Wardwell of Middletown, RI and his sister Diane (Wardwell) James and her husband Arthur of Northfield, MA.George is also survived by two children: Michael P. Wardwell of Newport, RI, Shannon Fuentes of Warren, RI; three step-children: Jason Roach of Parker, Colorado, George Roach of Portsmouth, RI, Claudia McPherson of Clovis, NM and eight grandchildren; Tiphanie and Myranda Fuentes, Joshua , Julia, Ryan Simmons and Sean McPherson, Lindsay Roach and Alysan McGowan-Roach.George was predeceased by his father, Houston F. Wardwell, mother, Phyllis (Bryant) Wardwell and his brother, Stephen Paul Wardwell of Bucksport, ME. Mr. Wardwell was a 1960 graduate of Walter Gardner High School in Bucksport, ME. He began his 32 year US Navy career in January of 1961. During his 4 year active duty period, he was assigned to the USS Canberra CAG-2 serving in both the Mediterranean Sean and in Cuba during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. CPO Wardwell then served on USS BRIDGET DE-1024 during its tenure in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam.Upon his release from Active Duty Navy, CPO Wardwell began a fulfilling 40 year career with the US Civil Service as a Telecommunications Specialist at the Naval Communications Station in Newport, RI, receiving numerous Civilian awards.In addition to his Government career, CPO Wardwell remained active in the United States Naval Reserve for 28 years and rode several ships including, USS TILLS, USS HOLDER, USS EDSON, USS VALDEZ, and USS FALCON during which time his Naval Reserve career was highlighted by his promotion to Radioman Chief Petty Officer. He retired after a total of 32 years of service to his Country.During his distinguished career, COP Wardwell was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3stars); Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Gold Hourglass); and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Chief Wardwell was also authorized to wear the Navy "E" Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon and the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.Mr. Wardwell has devoted a large portion of his life serving with distinction in many Civic, Fraternal and Veteran organizations. He was active in the Aquidneck Land Trust, the Fort Adams Trust, the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees and the Council for International Visitors, Newport, RI.He was Past President, BMCM Edmund Couto Chapter, Naval Enlisted Reserve Association; Past President, Chapter 79, The Retired Enlisted Association; Commander, Post 18, American Legion, Portsmouth RI; Second County Commander, American Legion, Department of Rhode Island; he also belonged to the VFW Post 4487, Life Member, Naval Order of the United States as Treasurer, Association of United States Navy; Association of US Army. George was a proud member and Past Council President, Newport County Council, Navy League of the United States with additional terms as Area President, Southern New England, Region President, New England and National Vice- President.One of Georges primary Navy League duties was as Chair of the Awards Committee which conducts honors ceremonies for the Union Officer of the Year, Junior and Senior Enlisted Person of the Year, Newport Naval Complex and the Junior Officer and Enlisted Person of the Year, United States Coasts Guard. These events are co-sponsored by the local Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs and provide high community visibility as well as maintaining good will in the local communities. George enjoyed lending a hand at local church social activities attended by many former Veterans of all services and their family members.Not only did Chief Wardwell heavily involve himself with a wide variety of Veterans activities, he was extremely proud of his support and participation with the Young Sea Cadets. He marched in the local parades on Memorial Day in formation with the three Naval Sea Cadet Corps Divisions sponsored by the Newport County Council, Navy League of the United States. He was the Liaison Officer between the Divisions and the Navy League and in that capacity helped structure a corps of fine Cadets representing potential Military Officers and Enlisted personnel. In 2014, George organized a contingent of Sea Cadets to march in the Bristol Fourth of July parade and carried the Post banner the entire distance along with other members of his Post.George was named Veteran of the Year in 2012 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Middletown, RI.Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI, with a service in the funeral home at 6:30 p.m.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's name to the NCBC Battalion Sea Cadets, 355 Compass Circle Unit 9, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Visitation JAN 11. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service JAN 11. 06:30 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com