Obituary: Francesco A. Pazienza, 78

The following obituary was provided by Nardolillo Funeral Home.

Francesco A. Pazienza of Saunderstown passed away peacefully on Fri., Jan. 4 at Kent Hospital in Warwick. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years,  Lucille C. (DiFante) Pazienza. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Angelo and Concetta (Angelotti) Pazienza.

"Frank" was a science teacher at Ponaganset High School for 30 years before his retirement. He was a US Army veteran serving during the Korean War era. Frank was a football coach for 15 years at Ponaganset High School and a coach for Cranston American Little League. After his retirement his passion was shell fishing on Narragansett Bay.

Besides his wife he is survived by his children – Frank A. Pazienza and his wife Lynne of Saunderstown; Gary J. Pazienza and his wife Stacey of Dayville, CT; Christopher G. Pazienza and his wife Nancy of Westford, MA; Stacy N. Zullo and her husband Mark of South Kingstown; and Rebecca M. Bromberg and her husband Scott of Providence.

Pazienza was the cherished grandfather of Christina, Jonathan, Alysse, Katie, Matthew, Jessica, Benjamin, Melanie, Kyle, Mark, and Brandon. He was the brother of Josephine "Joan" DiRuzzo of Providence.

Friends and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Nardolillo Funeral Home, South County Chapel, 1111 Boston Neck Road, (Rt.1A) Narragansett. Internment will be in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Bay, Inc. 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905. Visit nardolillo.com for online condolences.