John DiMeo

John DiMeo of Smithfield, RI passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024, in his home at Stillwater Assisted Living. John is survived by his daughter Cheryl DiMeo and her husband Peter Loveley and by his son John DiMeo andhis wife Deborah. Besides being a loving father, he was a loving grandfather to Jamie (DiMeo) Dilorenzo, CarolineLoveley and Mary (Loveley) Hottin. And he was also a loving Great Pa to Anthony, Cameron and Olivia Dilorenzo andto Hayden and Parker Hottin. In his senior years, he met Phyllis, a wonderful woman who shared his zest for life.Together they traveled and attended many social events. They also enjoyed quiet time together and visiting family and friends.

John was born on September 7,1933 in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Central High School. Hekept in touch with many friends from his high school days, and they met yearly to reminisce about their lives. They called themselves the Oak Street Gang. He lived and worked in Rhode Island his entire life except for a short timewhen he lived in Santa Fe. He worked in many different jobs throughout his life-as a water meter reader, an insurance salesman, a car salesman, in various positions for Mr. Christmas, in various positions in differentdepartments of the State of Rhode Island and at the Port of Providence. He was also co-owner of the RuffstoneTavern for many years. He retired from the State of Rhode Island. He volunteered as an ombudsman in nursing homes and as a guide at the John Brown House Museum.

He had a love of travel and visited Europe, Australia and many other places. As a child he traveled with his mother on the Queen Elizabeth ocean liner. As an adult he combined travel with another pastime-bicycling. He bicycled in Belgium and other foreign countries. He met a fellow traveler on one of those trips who became a friend that hecontinued to talk with and visit throughout his life. He took a raft trip in the Grand Canyon where he hiked and slept under the stars.

John was an avid reader. If he didn't have a book handy, he would read the encyclopedia. His daughter once came home to find him reading on the couch. When she asked him what he was reading, he replied "S." He read the newspaper and did the crossword puzzle daily. He was always up on current events.

One of his loves was art. He combined that with his travel and visited many museums and architectural sites. It wasno surprise when he volunteered locally as a guide in the museum. He had many original artworks in his home.

He enjoyed music from many decades and many genres-- from Frank Sinatra to Elton John to many others. Heenjoyed movies, the theater and sports. He was very social and had lunch daily, usually at Newport Creamery, with a group of friends. The group had dwindled over time to just him and one friend, but they still met for lunch almost every day.

He was young at heart and was blessed with a life well lived!

Visitation will be held on Friday morning, November 22, 2024 from 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. in the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Interment will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association