Frank J. Oliver, age 94, of Relph Street, Warwick, died on May13, 2013 at The Miriam Hospital in Providence. He was the husband of the late Mary F. (Sanzi) Oliver to whom he was married for 61 years.
Born in Cranston, a son of the late Guiseppe and Rosa (Oliveri) Oliveri, he lived in Warwick since 1949. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II, and very proudly served as a Torpedoman 2nd class on the USS Eversole. He was a member of DESA (Destroyer Escort Sailors Association) for 30 years.
Frank was the owner and operator of Oliver’s Service Station on Elmwood Avenue in Cranston for 42 years, retiring in 1984. He was proud of his work servicing large trucks and vehicles for local corporations and he also truly enjoyed the social aspect of his work. Oliver’s Service Station was always full of friends chatting. He was a former member of the Elks Lodge. Frank was a loving and devoted husband, father and a grandfather extraordinaire. He was happiest surrounded by his large family and frequently bragged that “we all get together at Christmas …and everybody gets along”. He was an avid deer hunter stopping just three years ago and so enjoyed his hunting buddies. He was also a devoted gardener, putting up 200 jars of “gravy” each year for many years. We were very lucky to have him for seven years after Mary passed away. He was much loved and was a unique, wonderful man. We will miss him so very much as we miss our beloved Mary.
Frank is survived by his children, Carol Ann Oliver and her husband, Ken Mickiewicz of Sherborn, Massachusetts, Frank J. Oliver, Jr. and his wife, Barbara of Warwick, Linda M. Oliver Hughes and her husband, John of Saunderstown, Rhode Island and Boston, Mass., Cynthia M. Aubin and her husband, Edward of Warwick, and Maryann Romano and her husband Frank of Severna Park, Maryland; two sisters, Sadie Cedrone of Burrillville and Min Paquin of East Longmeadow, Mass.; eleven grandchildren: Tanya Ashe, Ryan Oliver, Haley Sumner; Brad & Greg Mickiewicz, Taylor, Casey & Nicholas Aubin, and Olivia, Julia & Nina Romano; five great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Owen & Rebecca Ashe, Ridley & Milo Oliver; and his dear friend, Shirley Ferrara. Also, many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was the brother of the late Mary Russo, Grace Jennings, Josephine Colizzo, Michael Oliver, and Domenic Oliveri.
His funeral was held on Monday, May 20, at 9 a.m. from the Barrett and Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Peters Church, 350 Fair Street, Warwick. Visiting hours were Sunday 3-6 p.m. Burial with military honors was in the Rhode Island Veterans’ Cemetery, Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Honor Flight Network, Attn: Diane Gresse, 300 E Auburn Ave, Springfield, OH 45505
