John Joseph Fucile

Newport, RI - John Joseph Fucile, Sr., 97 years old, a lifelong Newport resident, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Heatherwood Nursing Rehabilitation in Newport.He was born on June 6, 1914 to Anunziata Pace Fucili and Enrico Fucili of Newport, RI.He was married 50 years to his loving wife, the late Concetta Mary Quattrucci Fucile. He leaves two sons, John J. Fucile, Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Wellborn, FL and Norman M. Fucile and his wife, Ellen, of Middletown, RI; his daughter, Elaine M. Faria and her husband, Anthony, of Portsmouth, RI; his daughter-in-law, Lynn Fucile of South Burlington, VT; and his nephew, Harold Fucilli of Middletown, RI. He was grandfather and Poppy to 11 grandchildren and great-grandfather to 14. He also leaves the second floor staff at Heatherwood who all took wonderful care of him in his later years. He was predeceased by his son, Eugene P. Fucile and his brother, Tulio Fucilli. John learned the art of wallpapering from his Uncle Dan at the age of 16 and worked his entire life papering and painting. He was often called upon to mix paint to match existing colors at many Newport mansions and took great pride in his work. During World War II, he worked at the former US Naval Training Station as a firefighter. As a young man, he pitched for the Middletown Amateur League that played at Berkely Field in Middletown in the 1940s and 50s and was an avid New York Yankees fan. He enjoyed many years watching his sons and grandsons play the game. He also bowled in the Newport Business Mens League, was a member of the Newport Knights of Columbus and was a lifelong communicant of St. Josephs Church in Newport. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 4-7 pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 8 am from Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 am in St. Josephs Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport.Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.