Joseph P.T. Vars

PORTSMOUTH, RI - Joseph P.T. Vars, 74, of 53 Cornell Drive, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Second Streeet, Newport, RI, died Thursday, August 18, 2005, at the Forest Farm Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. He was the husband of Angela Gerbeville Vars whom he married in 1953. Born in Providence, RI, on August 8, 1931, he was the son of Clara Perry Vars of the John Clarke Nursing Home, Middletown, and the late Harold Saunders Vars. Mr. Vars was a Newport native. Mr. Vars was a well known Newport businessman and was also active in numerous community affairs for many years. He was a Graduate of Rogers High School, Class of 1949. Mr. Vars Newport ancestors can be traced to 1677 and his Saunders ancestry to an earlier date making their settlement in what is now call Saunderstown, RI. He was an active Communicant of St. Marys Church serving as a lector for many years. His artful touch was evident on the churchs altar at most important Masses. His extraordinay talent was well recognized and he was called upon to decorate other houses of worship including Jesus Saviour Church as well as many other significant buildings throughout the community. Mr. Vars was a Veteran of the US Airforce, serving during the Korean Conflict. He attended the Rittner School of Floral Design and subsequently worked at his profession for 50 years, beginning in Florida, then working many years for Holbrow Parker House Florist in Boston, MA. In 1970, Mr. Vars founded The Waters Edge Flowers in Newport and he was well recognized as one of the most outstanding designers in RI. Upon the sale of his business he continued to contribute his artisitic talents working for the Newport Preservation Society at their many properties and at Hammersmith Farm. Very recently he designed arrangements for Chaves Garden Center. Mr. Vars was active in many community activities. He and his wife Angela hosted visitors from around the country and world as sponsers of student officers through the Newport War College Council for International Visitors where Mr. Vars served as secretary and also as a board member for many years. They were also host parents to many exchange students through his long membership in the Newport Rotary Club programs. The Vars lived in the Point Section of Newport for many years, where Joseph served as President of the Point Association for 6 years devoting extensive time to their work. He had served as secretary and board member of the Benefactors of the Arts/ Secret Garden Tours. In recent years he served on the board of the Star of the Sea-Harbor House project. He also served as Secretary and President of the Newport Horticultural Society. Through his work as a floral designer Mr. Vars expressed his love of nature, mankind, and Gods creations. Besides his wife and mother he is survived by a son Alan C. Vars, daughter in law Melissa Vars, and a grandson Justin Paul Vars all of Portsmouth, RI, two step grandchildren Wendy Dilley of Providence, RI, and Jamie Tant of Portsmouth, VA, two brothers Edmund S. Perry of Middletown, RI, and Joseph H. Vars of Jenson Beach, FL, and a sister Eleanor T. Pore of Riverview, FL, and many nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at 9:00AM, from the Hambly Funeral Home, ?Brick House?, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be in St. Marys Churchyard, East Main Road, Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2005, from 2-4 and 7-9 in the Hambly Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Rhode Island National Kidney Foundation, 125 Carlsbad Street, Suite #1, Cranston, RI, 02920.