Jospeh James Lance

Newport, RI - Joseph James Lance, 90, of 2 Ashurst Place Newport, died Sunday, November 7, 2004 at Newport Hospital after a short illness.He was the husband of the late Albina Silvia Lance. Born in Bridgeton, NJ on March 19, 1914, he was the son of the late Anthony and Maria Nacarella Lance of Casoli, Italy. Mr. Lance served as a Chief Petty Officer and chief commissary steward aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas during World War II and took part in the Normandy Invasion. Post War he worked as a civilian meat cutter at Fort Adams and later delivered milk for the former Harlows dairy of Newport, RI. During the 1950s Mr. Lance worked days as a welder and sheet metal mechanic for the Navys Service Craft facility on Goat Island and worked nights and weekends as a tailor at the former Nick Merlos Tailor Shop on Thames Street in Newport. He later managed the Commissary at the former Newport Naval Hospital and subsequently worked at the former Boat Repair facility in Melville, RI. In 1999, Mr. Lance participated in The Veterans Historyh Project of the American Folk Life Center in which the record of his service aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas were recorded and filed with U.S. The Library of Congress. A member of the Newport Knights of Columbus, Mr. Lance was a parishioner at St. Josephs Church and for more than 20 years collected for the Catholic Charities Drive. He later served as President of the former De La Salle Academy Fathers Club. He is survived by his son Peter A. Lance of Montecito, CA, his daughter Mary Lance of Corrales, New Mexico, three grandchildren Christopher Lance, Mallory Lance and Alison Lance all of New York City, NY, his niece Sheila Tyler and nephew Joseph Tremblay both of Newport, RI. His funeral will be held on Friday, November 12, 2004, at 8:00 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 9:00 AM in St. Josephs Church, Broadway And Mann Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.