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Wesley W. Stinson

1928 - 2019

Wesley W. Stinson obituary, 1928-2019, Middletown, RI

BORN

1928

DIED

2019

Wesley Stinson Obituary

Wesley W. Stinson
The Rev. Wesley W. Stinson, 91, passed away on July 4th, at the John Clarke Nursing Center in Middletown, R.I. Born in Millville, MA. He was the youngest of four sons. He grew up in Uxbridge, MA. and was a graduate of Uxbridge HS, Eastern Nazarene College and Boston University School of Theology. Wesley is survived by Norma, his wife of 70 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Richard, and brothers Ralph, Kenneth and Wayne. Wesley leaves four children, Glenn, and his wife Jan, Brenda Eline, David, and his partner Judith Gebhart, and Brian Stinson; seven grandchildren, Jason Vigeant, Rachel Alexander, Morgan Eline, Aaron Stinson, Michele Stinson, Samuel Hall-Stinson, Andrew Stinson; two great grandchildren, Tarae Vigeant and Mia Alexander, and many nieces and nephews.
Wesley was ordained to the ministry, and served as pastor for Methodist churches at Scituate Harbor, MA, East Greenwich, RI, Stoughton, MA, Newport, RI, Warren, RI, and at St. John's in Dover, NH. He also served as Chaplain at the Canton School for Crippled Children, the Juvenile Training School, Cranston, RI, and the Youth Development Center in Manchester, NH. In the 1950's he was involved in the development of programs for children and youth at Camp Aldersgate, in Scituate, RI.
In the 1960's he became involved with the civil rights movement and Fair Housing, and loved to share that he was a student in seminary at the time Martin Luther King, Jr. was also a student there. While in Newport, he worked with local churches to provide shelter and mediation services during the early Newport music festivals. He was also recognized for his later work with the Christian Action Center. During this time, Wesley also hosted a gathering of citizens concerned with housing issues, leading to the forming of the Church Community Corporation in 1969. He also worked with the RI Council of Churches, and sat with the Community Affairs Commission of the Providence Diocese under Bishop Gelineau.
In the late 1970's, Wesley was the spokesperson for the National Prison Reform Association, leading to the successful settlement of a lawsuit contesting prison conditions in Rhode Island.
Wesley enjoyed sailing, mountain climbing, traveling, stamp collecting and model making.
A celebration of his life will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, Middletown, RI on Saturday, July 27th, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory should be made to the Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center, Scituate, RI (campaldersgate.com), the Preachers Aid Society, Wells, ME (preachersaid.org) or by a donation of blood to the Rhode Island Blood Center, to whom he donated more than a 100 pints of blood during his life, and from which he greatly benefited at the end of his life.

Published by Newport Daily News from Jul. 8 to Jul. 11, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

So sorry to hear about Wes' passing. He was a gentle, compassionate man who ALWAYS had a smile and a kind word to say to everyone. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. God be with you, Wes, and rest in peace. The world is a better place because you were in it spreading the love and peace of Jesus.

Linda & John Stimpson

July 15, 2019

Wes was a treasured member of our congregation at PUMC, Portsmouth, RI. He was a strong supporter of the Nicaragua Covenant and following an onsite visit returned home and led an effort that resulted in a secure storage shed for the sewing machines in support of teaching the villagers to sew. He was a great friend and I will keep he, Norma and the family in my thoughts and prayers.

Dick Taylor

July 10, 2019

You all have many memories of this man. I loved watching Norma and Wes take their walks around the corner. 70 Years is a very long time. Until you all meet again, hold on to all the fond memories. Our hearts go out to all of you. Sincere Consolences, Love, Eileen, Paul & Doris

Eileen & Paul Allen

July 10, 2019

Wes married us on December 24, 1968 and instilled in us the importance of having
a strong marriage. We're on our 51st year
so he accomplished his task.
Penny and Barry Fitch

Penny Fitch

July 8, 2019

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Memorial Events
for Wesley Stinson

Jul

27

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Calvary United Methodist Church

Middletown, RI

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