Vernon F. Church

Portsmouth, RI ? Captain Vernon F. Church Merchant Marine ret., 97, of 283 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, at the Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. He was the husband of the late Rose Marie Bergeron Church to whom he had been married to for 72 years. Born in Portsmouth, RI, on April 22, 1909, he was the son of the late Henry Lincoln and Lillie Brownell Church.Mr. Church had joined the Merchant Marine at the age of sixteen and made many trips from the Shell Oil Refinery in Fall River to California. After home-studying, he became a Captain with pilotage endorsements for most of the harbors on the East Coast and later became a State Pilot in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York, ending his career upon retirement after fifty years, in 1986. In 1953, he purchased the 80 acre Lopes Farm on Bristol Ferry Road and later constructed Sunny Acres Mobile Home Park and Melville Mobile Home Park on West Main Road. Captain Church and his beloved wife Rose wintered in Arizona during their retirement years and enjoyed dancing the waltz, playing cribbage, and socializing with friends. They traveled together all over the world, and explored much of Europe in their airstreamer. An avid gardener, Vernon grew many fruits and vegetables on his farm, generously sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends, and always brought his wife fresh bouquets of gladiolas that he grew himself. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Eureka 22 in Portsmouth and was a former Shriner. He was also a member of the Portsmouth Multi Purpose Senior Center and the Wally Byrum Association. Mr. Church was an avid fisherman, and loved to play pool. His love, kindness, and counsel will be greatly missed. He is survived by two sons Donald V. Church of Bristol, RI, and Harry J. Church of Portsmouth, RI, a daughter Verna C. Westhaver of Portsmouth, RI, six grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late Burton Lincoln Church and James Boomer Church.His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 10:00 am in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.Burial will be in Portsmouth Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 6, 2007, from 4-7 pm in the Connors Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Portsmouth Multi Purpose Senior Citizens Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI, 02871.