Humphrey J. Amedeo Jr.

Humphrey J. Amedeo Jr., 75, of Watch Hill, beloved husband of Carol (Leyko) Amedeo of 54 years, passed on to eternal life suddenly on the morning of July 24, 2011, at The Westerly Hospital.
He was the son of the late Onofrio and Mary Amedeo. In addition to his wife, he leaves a son, Humphrey Amedeo III, of Bradford, and a daughter, Holly Ann (Amedeo) Quaratella, of Barrington; daughter-in-law, Joyce; son-in-law, Robert; grandsons, Taylor, Zachary and Humphrey IV; a sister, Dorothy Selvidio, of Norwich; brothers-in-law, Matthew (Elaine), of Norwich, and Raymond (Beverly), of Preston; several nieces, nephews and close cousins, Franco, Frances, Michael and Elizabeth Amodeo of Long Island, and several cousins in Norwich and Italy as well as his West Highland Terrier, Aeri. He was pre-deceased by two sisters, Nancy Iacoi and Francesca Rudolph.
He was a graduate of Norwich Free Academy and Riverside College in California. Upon graduation from college, he joined his father in the Connecticut Beverage Company, Inc. of Norwich and was a wholesale distributor of fine wines, beers, and other beverages. He eventually became President and owner of the company and brought the company to the second level of success. His character was of the highest integrity, and he had excellent business acumen.
He and Carol traveled to Italy, France, Germany, England, Ireland and Greece throughout the years. They visited many wine regions in France and Italy to purchase fine wines for the Thames River Import Company, which he founded. He was the first importer in the United States to acquire the franchise for John Courage Beer, a British beverage firm.
When his son, Humphrey, graduated from college, he joined his Dad in the company, and he continued to bring the company to a higher level, diversifying products. He also valued his employees who helped to build the business. During his retirement, he continued his sales enthusiasm by calling on customers on Block Island for the company, which he enjoyed immensely. He was most proud of his son's accomplishments in the business and his daughter's accomplishments in teaching in the Seekonk School System.
He and Carol moved from Norwich 23 years ago purchasing the "Seawood" estate in Watch Hill. In his retirement, he enjoyed landscaping, gardening on the land, and loved mowing the lawns on his Kubota tractor. He would take a few hours daily to play cards with friends at the Elks, enjoying the game of Greek Rummy. Most recently he enjoyed playing bocce.
Humphrey was a pilot for 32 years and enjoyed flying his Beechcraft Bonanza. There were several highlights of his life: flying aboard the Concorde to London, piloting his aircraft across the United States to California with his longtime friend, World War II veteran pilot, Angelo "Ack Ack" Morrone. In later years, his most challenging flight was to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas with Carol, and a recent trip to China. Each year they spent the winter on their favorite island in the sun, Harbour Island, Bahamas, where they treasured many friends. He was an avid reader and donated many books to the Harbour Island Library.
As a pilot, he was a member of Angel Flight Northeast and flew many missions bringing ill children afflicted with cancer and their parents to hospitals in the New England area for specialized treatment. He was honored by Angel Flight Northeast for his humanitarian missions. As a member of the Young Eagles chapter in Groton, he contributed his time and aircraft to fly young pilot enthusiasts at Wings Over Westerly, a family event celebrating aviation. He was a member of the Westerly Airport Association for many years and its president for two years. He was a strong supporter of the Westerly Airport Association Scholarship Fund and most recently Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, also a member of the Connecticut Beer Wholesalers Association for many years, Westerly Elks Lodge, Westerly Land Trust, the Watch Hill Conservancy, and a communicant of St. Clare Parish.
He had a zest for life and enjoyed camaraderie with family and friends. He was very devoted to his wife and family. He will be sorely missed.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Clare Church, Crandall Avenue, Westerly. Interment will take place in River Bend Cemetery, Westerly.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in his memory may do so to the Westerly Airport Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2053, Westerly, RI 02891, Angel Flight NE, Lawrence Municipal Airport, 492 Sutton St., North Andover, MA 01845, or the Watch Hill Conservancy, 222 Watch Hill Road, Watch Hill, RI 02891.
For online condolences, go to www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com .