Joseph Moniz

Joseph Moniz, 73, of Viking Drive, Portsmouth, R.I., passed away Friday, May 7, 2010 at home.He was the husband of 47 years to the late Anne Giblin Moniz.Born in Fall River, Mass., on Oct. 4, 1936, he was the son of the late Jesse and Mary Silvia Moniz.Mr. Moniz attended Portsmouth schools and joined the United States Marine Corp in 1955 and served his country proudly with honor for four years. He worked for Pearson Yachts for 7 years and later for Frito-Lay for 28 years until illness forced him to retire in 1994. He was awarded Driver of the Year and was a member of the Million Mile Club. In his early years, he was active in local athletics and coached Boys Major League Baseball. He was an avid landscaper and gardener and a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.He is survived by two children, a son, Jeffrey Moniz of Fort Myers, Fla., a daughter, Lori Coleman of Lakeland, Fla., two grandchildren Ryan Coleman-Richards, who was in the U.S. Navy, and Shayla Coleman of Norfolk, Va., two great-grandchildren, a sister, Lorraine Hedger of Portsmouth, R.I., two brothers, Peter Moniz of Tiverton, R.I. and Paul Moniz of Pensacola, Fla., sister-in-law, Ronni Gannek and partner, Paul Furtado, nieces, Shelly Clacherty, Annie Anthony, Melissa Alfonzo and her children, Allie and Anna.Funeral services will be private and handled by Memorial Funeral, 375 Broadway, Newport, R.I. with a Memorial Mass to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Fund, PO Box 806, Portsmouth, R.I. 02871.