James M Violet, Sr

James M. Violet, Sr., 88, of 19 Keeher Avenue, Newport, RI, died Friday, June 27, 2008 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Catherine Gianakellis Violet.Born in Newport, RI on June 26, 1920, he was the son of the late Michael and Margaret Melachrino Violet.Mr. Violet was a graduate of Rogers High School. He attended Curtiss Wright Aeronautical School in California, then began work as an aviation mechanic. He worked for Lockheed Martin at the famed Skunkworks in Burbank, California. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served in WWII. During his service he received the Purple Heart for being combat wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was later was stationed in Japan during the US occupation. After the war, he worked for ARAMCO as an airline technician working in Beirut and Saudi Arabia and then returned to the United States and worked on Long Island. James then returned to Newport and began a career in the lobster industry on his boat the Kaymador retiring in the early 1980s.Mr. Violet was a past president and active member of AHEPA. He was also active with Boy Scout Troop 3 in Newport.He is survived by his wife Catherine of Newport. a son James M Violet, Jr. of Middletown, RI and two daughters Dorothea Kelly of Charleston, SC and Margaret Batey of Big Pine Key, FL. He also leaves his brother Melachrino Violet of Newport, RI and nine grandchildren and One Great Grandson, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Violet was the brother of the late John and Nicholas Violet and Kay Rachioteis.His funeral will be held on June 30, 2008 at 9:00a.m. from Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport followed by a Mass at 10:00am in St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport. Burial with military honors will be in Middletown Cemetery in Middletown. Calling hours will be held Sunday, June 29, 2008 from 4-7pm in the Hambly Funeral Home.Memorial donations may be made to St. Spyridons Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport RI 02840 or to Visiting Nurse Service- Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871