Rodney P. Bowley

Newport, RI - Rodney P. Bowley, 73, of 38 Bedlow Avenue, Newport, RI, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at home. He was the husband of Paula Peloquin Bowley. Born in Newport, RI on February 27, 1937, he was the son of the late John F. and Mary Amoruso Bowley.Mr. Bowley grew up in Newport and was a 1954 graduate of De LaSalle High School. He then went on to Southern New England School of Law and received his J.D. with the inaugural graduating class. Mr. Bowley was an Assistant Prosecuter for the Rhode Island District Attorneys Office under Arlene Violets administration. He was the business agent for the Carpenters Local 176 for many years, fighting to insure good-paying jobs for local men and women. Rodney was a member and secretary for the Rhode Island Central Labor Council. Up until his death he served as a Vice Chairman of the Newport Housing Authority. He founded and was treasurer of The Friendly Sons of Newport Social Club, affectionately referred to as that GD club, a former member of the Newport Elks Lodge and served on the Middletown Zoning Board. He was the Founder and President of Beths Quest Foundation, a Lyme Disease awareness and prevention non profit organization created in memory of his daughter. This became his lifes work and will remain a part of his legacy. Rodney acted as a voice for people who did not raise their own, working to protect and support the underserved in our community. He is survived by his children, David P. Bowley of Exeter, NH, Stacey Bowley Yarrow and her husband Grady of Middletown, RI, John P. Bowely of Mahwah, NJ and Christine Chilton of Marblehead, MA, and his grandchildren, Liam Coen, Emily Yarrow, Evan Bowley, Andrew Yarrow and Maxwell Chilton. He was the father of the late Beth Bowley Coen. Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 21, 2011, from 6:00-9:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 10:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport.Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 2374 Post Road, Suite 206, Warwick, RI 02886.