Dr. Michael W. Prior

PRIOR, DR. MICHAEL W., 66, of 940 Quaker Lane, Warwick, a retired thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, died Monday at Roger Williams General Hospital.

Born in Providence, January 3, 1942, he was the son of Gerald J. Prior and Emma M. (Warren) Prior. Until his retirement a decade ago, he was a partner in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Center. He was on the staff of Roger Williams General Hospital, Miriam Hospital and St. Joseph's Health Service. He was also on the consulting staff of South County Hospital, Westerly Hospital and Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket.

Dr. Prior was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the American Thoracic Society. During the 1980s, he served as chair of the Quality Assurance Committee at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.

Dr. Prior was a 1959 alumnus of LaSalle Academy, where he was an All State swimmer and co-captain of the swim team. He graduated from Brown University in 1963. At Brown he was co-captain of the swim team and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Sigma Xi science honor society. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity.

Dr. Prior graduated from medical school at Georgetown University in 1967 and completed his medical training with internship and residencies at the University of Michigan. An avid sailor, he was a longtime member of the Edgewood Yacht Club.

Surviving are three brothers, Gerald P. Prior of Narragansett, the Rev. Dr. J. Gregory Prior of Little Compton and Atty. David D. Prior of Warwick, and 15 nieces and nephews. Dr. Prior was preceded in death by his sister, Mrs. Judith P. Veisel of San Diego.

His funeral will be Friday at 9 AM from the Frank P. Trainor & Sons Funeral Home, 982 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Peter Church, Fair Street, Warwick at 10 AM. Calling Hours Thursday 4-8 PM. Burial will be in Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston.