Joseph H. Procopio Sr.

PROCOPIO, JOSEPH H., SR., 85, of North Providence, a retired registered pharmacist and a former director of hospital pharmacy, died Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Miriam Hospital. He had lived in Providence before moving to North Providence in 1986. He was the husband of the late Lydia (Marra) Procopio.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Antonio and Teresa (Bove) Procopio. Mr. Procopio was a magna cum laude graduate of Classical High School, Class of 1941 and a cum laude graduate of the former RI College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences in 1951. He had worked in several area community pharmacies before entering the practice of hospital pharmacy, having worked at Roger Williams Hospital, the VA Medical Center and the former Osteopathic General Hospital, later known as Cranston General Hospital where he established the first in-house organized pharmacy department, serving as its director for 27 years before retiring in 1988. He was one of the first pharmacists in the state to dispense methadone as applied to the treatment of drug addiction, and along with Drs. J. Jerry Rodos and Stephen Urban, developed a liquid methadone concentration that was the standard used in the detoxification and maintenance phases of addiction for many years in RI. After retiring, he worked part-time for the CODAC agency until 1994. He assumed a caregiver role thereafter, until his beloved wife died in 2003. Mr. Procopio was an Army Air Corps Veteran of WWII and was trained as a B-17 radio operator/gunner.

He is survived by two sons, Joseph H. Procopio, Jr. of Foster and his wife Deborah and Anthony J. Procopio of North Attleborough, and his wife Beverly and six grandchildren, Jared Procopio and his wife Lisa, Ashley, Joseph C., Maria L, Theresa and Elizabeth Procopio.

His funeral will be held Saturday at 9 AM from the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in Holy Ghost Church, Knight St., Providence. Visitation Friday 5-8pm. Entombment with Military Honors will be in Our Risen Christ Mausoleum, St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: St. Mary's Home for Children, 420 Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence, RI 02911. Condolences at maceroni.com