James J. Prata, 85, of Warwick, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, March 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Providence, James “Jim” was the beloved husband of Norma A. Prata (Buonaiuto) and the son of the late James and Edith Prata (Petrarca).
In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Jim is survived by his three children: son James, daughter Leah Smith (Prata) and her husband Richard, Julianne Hopgood (Prata) and her husband Andrew, and his sister Barbara Petrarca (Prata).
He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Gianna Ahnrud (Prata), Marissa Prata, Rebecca Prata, Jamie Davey (Hopgood), Ariana Smith, Teresa Prata, Andrew Hopgood, Sydney Smith, and Samantha Hopgood, and two great-grandchildren, Bria and Luca Ahnrud. In addition, he had many nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated from Classical High School and attended the University of Rhode Island, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1961.
Jim was the co-owner and director of Prata Funeral Homes in Providence, West Warwick, Pawtucket and Woonsocket for over 60 years. In addition to his career as a funeral Director, Jim served as a Warwick City Councilman for three terms in the 1980s. He also served the community as a communicant and trustee of Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick, on the Board of Directors at the DeAngelis Manor in West Warwick, the Warwick Sewer Authority and a board member of the Warwick Public Library.
Jim was an avid music lover and loved hosting guests in his music room to listen to his favorites, such as Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire. He deeply valued spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and musical and theatrical shows. Jim and his wife Norma enjoyed traveling, spending time in Florida, and golfing.
During his health journey, the entire team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Foxborough would greet him with amazing kindness and smiles when he went for his chemotherapy treatments. He called the Foxboro facility his “happy place.” Jim’s family is grateful for the expert care they provided him with.
Jim’s smile was contagious, and his laugh was one of a kind. Jim lit up every room he entered. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
His funeral will be held Friday, March 14, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. from the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 820 Providence Street, West Warwick. Visiting hours Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Dana Farber Brigham Cancer Center- Foxborough, 22 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035 in his memory, would be appreciated.
For further information and to offer condolences, please visit www.PrataGallogly.com.
