Robert J. Velleca

Robert J. Velleca, 78, of Kay Street, Newport, RI, died peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at home.He was the loving companion of Patricia A. Kenney for over forty years.Born in Fall River, MA on January 22, 1936, he was the son of the late C. Thomas and Isabelle (Estrella) Velleca.He grew up in Bristol, served four years in the U.S. Navy, and graduated from Providence College. Robert taught English at Portsmouth High School for many years. He founded an experimental theatre company during the 1980's for which he wrote plays, made slides and directed. An avid beach-comber, he enjoyed making collages and sculptures with the things he found. Among other things, Robert was renowned for his stories, opinions, great sense of humor and his love of golf.In addition to his companion, he is survived by his daughters, Pamela Benevides of Barrington, RI and Michelle Berard of Warwick, RI; his brother, Thomas Velleca of Portsmouth, RI and Texas; his sister, Claudia Marker of Arizona; and three grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Hank Velleca.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm with a remembrance service at 6:45pm in the Hambly "Brick House" Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, RI.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840. Service OCT 16. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Hambly Funeral Home 30 Red Cross Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.hamblyfuneralhome.com Service OCT 16. 06:45 PM Hambly Funeral Home 30 Red Cross Ave Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.hamblyfuneralhome.com