George Elshant, Sr

Middletown, RI - George E. Elshant, 85, of 74 Bay View Park, Middletown, RI, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Geraldine M. Augustus Elshant of Middletown. Born in Newport, RI on February 6, 1922, he was the son of the late Manuel and Mary Mendonca Elshant. George attended Portsmouth Public Schools, De La Salle Academy, Newport and the Aero Technical Institute of Los Angeles, California. He was employed by the Short Line Bus Company in Middletown for a number of years. In 1954 he began working for the Newport Electric Corporation as a Power Plant Engineer and a Power Dispatcher, retiring in 1984 after 30 years. Mr. Elshant was a communicant of Jesus Saviour Church. George was a member of the Middletown Knights of Columbus Council #4201 where he served as Grand Knight from 1974 to 1975, the Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth, the AARP National and Newport Chapter #207 and the Edward King House in Newport. He was a past member of the Portsmouth Grange where he served as Master of Portsmouth Grange in 1954, the Holy Name Society of Jesus Saviour Church and the Seven Castle's Club of Newport. Mr. Elshant was in the United States Army, during World War II, serving in the Supreme Headquarters, European Theatre. George was an avid golfer and bowler and enjoyed playing "Pitch" at the Knights of Columbus. He was also a dedicated fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics. Having played baseball in his youth George loved attending his grandchildren's Little League and soccer games. For many years he enjoyed maintaining a large vegetable garden at the family homestead on Jepson Lane. One of George's favorite pastimes was dancing and playing his guitar with friends and family. Beside his wife of 60 years, he is survived by his children, George E. Elshant, Jr. and his wife Catherine Smith Elshant, Donna E. Morra and her husband Robert all of Middletown, RI and Susan M. Costa and her husband James A. Costa of Bristol, RI, his grandchildren, Amy Elshant of Middletown, RI, Gregory Elshant and his wife Christina Raffa Elshant of Portsmouth, RI, Daniel Elshant and Paul Elshant of Middletown, RI and Sarah Costa and James Costa of Bristol, RI, his brother Eugene R. Elshant of Portsmouth, RI, and his sisters Virginia C. Carrellas of Newport, RI, Mary D. Elshant and Arleen C. Silveira of Middletown, RI.He was the brother of the late Alfred F. Elshant. His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2008, at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008, from 4-8 in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842.