Girard A. Nardone

Westerly - Girard A. Nardone, the former Chief Laboratory Technologist at Westerly Hospital and lifelong Westerly resident, died Sunday Feb. 8, 2009, at home surrounded by family. He was 84.

Mr. Nardone, the son of the late Sabino and Mary Columbia Genzale Nardone, was passionate about the medical field at a young age. After graduating from Westerly High School in 1942, he went on to Providence College to study pre-med. His college career was interrupted so he could serve in the US Army as a medical technician during World War II. Mr. Nardone returned to Providence College after the war. During his college years, he also met his wife of 58 years, M. Agnes O'Neill Nardone of Westerly.

Mr. Nardone graduated from college in 1947, and went on to become Chief Laboratory Technologist at Westerly Hospital, overseeing the hospital laboratory, phlebotomy, and blood bank operations. He held this position for 35 years until he retired in 1983. Mr. Nardone was also a member of the Westerly Hospital Management Team since its inception and a member of many hospital committees.

Mr. Nardone loved the water, boating and fishing, and was a member of the Westerly Yacht Club. He enjoyed going clamming and made the best stuffed clams for family parties. He was a big golfer and listened to the news every morning when he got up. He also enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra and Harry Belafonte. In his later years, Mr. Nardone enjoyed taking rides by the beach.

Besides his wife, Mr. Nardone leaves three daughters, Susan Nardone, wife of Richard Augusto of Sharon, Mass., Tracey Files, wife of Judson Files, of Mystic and Jane Trubia of Westerly, R.I.; four grandchildren, Alex and Kelsey Trubia and Kate and Lauren Augusto; two brothers, Arthur, husband of Jean, and Charles, husband of Nelda, both of Pawcatuck; one sister, Angela Wardman, wife of Jonathan Wardman, of Pawcatuck; a brother-in-law, Arthur O'Neill of Pawcatuck and a sister-in-law, Esther O'Neill, of Pawcatuck.

Mr. Nardone is also predeceased by another sister-in-law and dear friend, Sister Eleanor O'Neill.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception on High St., Westerly.

Donations in lieu of flowers, can be sent to Home and Hospice Care of RI, 143 Main St., Wakefield, RI 02879; or The Westerly Adult Day Services, 65 Wells St., Westerly, RI 02891.