Frank Coletta

COLETTA, FRANK J. 101, formerly of West Warwick, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, December 2, 2014. He was the beloved husband of the late Madeline (Parente) Coletta. Born on November 12, 1913, in Warwick, he was the son of the late Gennaro and Adelina (Lombardi) Coletta. Frank originally worked as a weaver in Rhode Island textile mills. He then became a carpenter at Quonset Point, and used those skills to build the house in which he lived for 53 years. He retired as Superintendent of Maintenance at the RI Medical Center. Frank was an accomplished musician playing the saxophone, clarinet, guitar and piano. For more than 30 years he played alto sax in Freddy Shadeck's Orchestra at the Tiogue Vista in Coventry and throughout the state. He was an avid golfer, and a member of West Warwick Country Club where he played golf daily, well into his 90's. Frank carded 8 holes in one during his lifetime and was the 1985 RI Golf Association First Division Senior Champion. Frank cared deeply for his family to whom he offered his wisdom and unconditional love. He leaves his daughter Judith Curtis and her husband Peter of Jamestown, two grandchildren, Kara Kelley and her husband Michael of Providence; and Matthew Curtis and his wife Anne Nichols of Portland, OR. Frank cherished his four great-grandchildren - Ella and Olivia Curtis, Cameron and Hayden Kelley. He delighted in telling them stories, both real and make-believe. Frank was the eldest of four children. He is survived by his sister, Joanna Williams and his brother Vincent as well as many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Rosalba Cooper. His funeral will held Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 10:00am from the URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Ave., Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church, 820 Providence St., West Warwick at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Church St., West Warwick. Visiting hours will be held Friday, December 5, 2014, 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to Button Hole Golf Course, 1 Buttonhole Dr., Providence, RI 02909. Button Hole is a non-profit initiative that is dedicated to providing a short course and teaching center focused on kids and "golf, the greatest game" which he dearly loved. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org