John Sposato

Westerly - John J. Sposato, of Ashaway Road, Westerly, and beloved husband of Edith K (Mueller) Sposato for 50 years, passed away at home on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 following a long illness.

The son of the late Vincenzo and Santa (Morrone) Sposato, he was born Nov. 14, 1926, in Westerly.

In addition to his wife he also leaves two sons and their wives, John J. Jr. and Nancy Sposato of Dover, N.H., and Frank T. and Laura Sposato of Flemington, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Marisa, Michael and Kenny Sposato.

John graduated from Westerly High School in 1944, where he was the captain and quarterback of the football team. He went on to graduate in 1948 from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, and then continued his engineering studies at the University of Rhode Island.

He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines and served in the U.S. Navy with the Atomic, Biological and Chemical warfare section from 1948 to 1952.

He worked at General Dynamics / Electric Boat Corporation from 1956 to 1991, specializing in the design, testing and operation of submarine reactor plant systems. While there, he served in various engineering and management positions. This included his position as chief of engineering for the submarine reactor plant planning project which was responsible for the U.S. Navy's commissioned submarines. Also, while at Electric Boat he served as president, vice president and chairman of the Board for the Electric Boat Management Association.

He was an active member of the Westerly Lion's Club from 1967 to 1988. He was also involved with YMCA Youth Activity Committee. A longtime communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Westerly, he also served as a trustee at the Church from 1969 to 1979, and served as a parish auditor for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 111 High St., on Wednesday at 10 a.m. There will be no procession from the funeral home to the church. Visiting hours will be held in Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions may be made to either Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 or Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly, RI 02891 in John's memory.