Anthony R. Della Porta

Anthony "Tony" Rocco Della Porta, 72, died Thursday, August 20 in St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by his adoring family and close friends following a brief illness. He leaves his wife and best friend of over 50 years, Barbara (White) Della Porta; his son, Michael Della Porta and his wife Charleen; his daughters, Michele Della Porta, Loraine Della Porta and her husband Richard Damon; his loving grandchildren, Joseph Della Porta, Christofer D'Orsi, Diana Della Porta; and his step-grandchildren Melissa and Nicholas Damon. Mr. Della Porta also leaves his brother Richard Della Porta and his wife Barbara; his sister, Christine E. Sahagian and her husband Jerry; Dianne Daily and her fianc� Joe Mancini; and many wonderful nieces, nephews and close friends, including his friend for over 50 years, Robert Caponero and his wife Marie. Born and raised in Providence, RI, the son of Antonio and Libia (Russillo) Della Porta, he was a lifelong resident of Cranston, RI until retiring to St. Petersburgh, FL in 1992. After graduating from Central High School, Mr. Della Porta joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War. Following his service, he attended Roger Williams College where he earned an engineering degree. In 1960, Mr. Della Porta joined the U.S. Postal Service and provided 32 years of dedicated service at the Main Post Office in Providence before retiring as the Manager of General Mail Facility Operations in 1992. He not only took tremendous pride in his work, but truly relished the friends he made during his time with the Postal Service. Mr. Della Porta and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas. He was an avid sportsman and had a passion for sportfishing and boating with friends in Canada, woodworking and music. Mr. Della Porta was active in many civic and charitable organizations over the years. Funeral will be Wednesday August 25 at 8:45am from the Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home and Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at SS John and Paul Church, 341 South Main St. Coventry at 10 am. Calling hours are Tue. 4-8pm. Burial with full military honors will be at the R. I. Veteran's Cemetery Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com.