Archive - 2012
Just when you thought it was going to be awfully difficult to top all the great accomplishments and moments that took place in 2011...
Another wonderful year has passed in the Blackstone Valley, and 2012 supplied the region’s sports scene with an abundance of state championship teams, remarkable individual performances, and its Triple-A baseball team, the Pawtucket Red Sox, seizing its first Governors’ Cup title since 1984.
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island General Assembly will hit the ground running in 2013, opening its session on New Year’s Day and delving into issues such as taxes, economic development, same-sex marriage and gun control early in the year.
Albert E. Deschenes
NORTH PROVIDENCE - Albert E. Deschenes, 75 of North Providence died Sunday at the St. Antoine Residence in North Smithfield. He was the loving husband of Monique (Berthelette) Deschenes.
Born in Pawtucket he was the son of the late Alfred and Vidola (Boissy) Deschenes. Albert lived most of his life in Pawtucket and moved to North Providence in 2006.
Prior to his retirement he worked as a Sales Representative for Famous Foods Company of Virginia for many years. He was an Army Veteran having served overseas.
Rita R. Dupont
LINCOLN - Rita R. Dupont, 93, passed peacefully December 29, 2012 at Mount St. Rita Health Center. She was the wife of the late Rene Dupont Sr.
Born in Pawtucket, Rita was the daughter of the late Amateur and Rosianne (Raymond) Plouffe. She had been employed as a textile worker in the Blackstone Valley area for many years. Rita lived most of her life in Central Falls before moving to Lincoln ten years ago and was a Communicant of St. Jude Church. She had a passion for family, friends and bingo.
December 29th
BOSTON (AP) — Weather watchers say up to a foot of snow fell in parts of southern New England as the latest winter storm moved through the Northeast.
The storm had ended in the region by Sunday morning and dry weather was expected for days, although strong winds may chill the bone.
Meteorologist Frank Nocera of the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., said six to 12 inches of snow fell from Saturday afternoon and overnight in Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts, including Foxboro where the New England Patriots play.
December 28th
CENTRAL FALLS – The Bank of America branch at 375 Broad St. was robbed on Friday morning for the second time since early November.
Two masked men drew handguns and demanded money from a teller shortly after the banked opened, police said.
No shots were fired, but the gunmen fled with cash.
The same bank was robbed on Nov. 2 by a man who passed a note to a teller, but yesterday’s holdup was also the second bank robbery in the Greater Woonsocket area in the last three days and the third in Greater Providence in the last eight.
PAWTUCKET — The following schedule has been set for the Inauguration Day events and ceremonies to be held on Monday, Jan. 7, during which the newly-elected office holders for mayor, city council and school committee will be sworn into office.
At 4 p.m., an Inaugural Liturgy open to the public will be celebrated at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church, 358 Newport Ave., officiated by Fr. Joseph Paquette, pastor.
CUMBERLAND – Mayor Daniel McKee is mulling a bid for lieutenant governor in 2014.
“It’s something I’m giving serious consideration to,” McKee, a Democrat, told The Times Thursday. “I have interest in exploring that as an option. It’s a few years away, but it’s not too early to start thinking about that if you actually want to make an effort toward it. It’s something that is worth looking at so I am taking a look at it.”
Eugene David Bottai
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. - Eugene David Bottai, age 88, of Lawrenceville, GA, formerly of Pawtucket, RI passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rita Bottai Mr. Bottai is survived by his children - Charleen Lidsey, of Winder, GA; Gail and Jack Soule, of Post Falls, Idaho; brother - Donald Bottai, of Pawtucket, RI; 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
The family will be holding a service at a later date. Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road, SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. 770-962-3100
www.stewartfh.com
James W. Kenny, Jr.
EAST PROVIDENCE - James W. Kenny, Jr., 91, of Rumford, passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2012. He was the beloved husband of the late Marie E. (Gallagher) Kenny, to whom he had been married for 60 years.
Norman G. Larivee
CENTRAL FALLS - Norman G. Larivee, 80, passed peacefully on December 26th with his loving family by his side. He was the husband of Doris (Laplume) Larivee. They have been married for 60 years.
He was a son of the late Joseph and Aurore (Massey) Larivee. He was a lifelong resident of Central Falls. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War.
Raymond P. Barthe
CUMBERLAND - Raymond P. Barthe, 80, of Jackson St., passed away Wednesday in the Landmark Medical Center, Woonsocket. He was the beloved husband of the late Pauline N. (Bertini) Barthe.
Born in Central Falls he was the son of the late Paul and Alma (Gouin) Barthe. He resided in Cumberland for the past 50 years.
Mr. Barthe was employed by the former ITT Royal Electric Co., Pawtucket for many years until his retirement and was also a member of the IBEW.
He was a U. S. Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict.
December 27th
PROVIDENCE – When this possibility – Providence College playing at Brown – was first rumored last spring, more than a few eyebrows were raised.
A school hailing from the Big East that’s willing to serve as the away team in a venue that houses an Ivy League participant? Surely you jest?
What was once thought a mere pipedream becomes reality Friday night when the Friars take the steep climb up Waterman Street before hanging a left onto Hope Street. A few blocks down sits the Pizzitola Center, home to the Bears and site for what is truly a rare occasion.
CUMBERLAND — The Arnold Mills United Methodist Church will hold a special memorial New Year's Eve worship service on Monday in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn.
Led by the Rev. Lynn McCracken, the service will be "a time of remembrance surrounding the tragic loss of life from the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., as well as a reflection for the new year ahead," McCracken said.
LINCOLN — A sobering pre-New Year’s message about the dangers of drinking and driving was issued yesterday by State Police and the self-described numbers-crunchers of highway injury statistics, but no one put it more eloquently than Tori Andreozzi.
She said nothing.
Incapable of speaking, the 22-year-old woman sat awkwardly in a wheelchair while a family member held a sign above her head that said, “I am the victim of a drunk driver.”
December 26th
SMITHFIELD — Despite senior Brittany Bilodeau’s ability to notch a team-leading 14 points, Tolman High started too slowly and eventually yielded a 41-24 triumph to Ponaganset High in a Red Division semifinal at the 26th annual Rhode Island Board of Girls Basketball Officials/Smithfield Boosters Club Holiday Classic at the Smithfield High gym late Wednesday afternoon.
The Tigers allowed seven first-half turnovers in the final 6:10 to enter the break down, 22-10, but did play well enough to keep it interesting through most of the final session.
PROVIDENCE — Central Falls' new mayor will be sworn in on New Year's Day — but it's not yet clear what power he'll wield in a city that remains under the control of a state-appointed receiver.
City Councilman James Diossa is expected to be sworn in at a ceremony at Central Falls High School on Tuesday evening. But he inherits the keys to a city that hasn't been governed by its local leaders since the state took it over in 2010.
PAWTUCKET — Mayor Donald R. Grebien announced that his administration is once again seeking letters of interest and availability from residents who wish to serve on one of the city's numerous boards and commissions.
"Encouraging participation in our city government by residents throughout our diverse community will always be a high priority of my administration," Grebien said. "As part of my transparency pledge, I would like to hear from everyone who would like the opportunity to serve on one of our boards or commissions."
On the day after Christmas, Josh O'Connell, of Burrillville, left, and Nathan Cote, of Woonsocket, were busy building a single-family home on Railroad Street in Manville. The two work for Nathan's father, John, owner of J.B. Cote Construction of Manville, who stated that the project will be completed in four months.
Agostinho R. Rosa
PAWTUCKET - Agostinho R. Rosa, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 25, 2012. He was the beloved husband of Conceicao M. (Fernandes) Rosa. The couple would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on January 18, 2013.
Born in St. Miguel, Azores, Portugal, a son of the late Manuel Raposa Rosa and Diamantina Soares Rosa, he came to the United States in 1966 and settled in Pawtucket. Agostinho was employed by Northeast Cable, Attleboro for twenty-eight years until retiring in 1994.
