Obituaries

Everett W. Grassie, Jr. Marion E. (Saleeba) DeFontes

Everett W. Grassie, Jr.

REHOBOTH—-Everett W. Grassie, Jr., 89, passed away at home peacefully in his sleep on December 18,

Seekonk – Marion E. (Saleeba) DeFontes, 85, of Seekonk, passed away on Tuesday December 20, 2022 at home.

She was the wife of the late Robert J. DeFontes, they were married for over 61 years before he passed away in 2018.

Marion was born in Seekonk, the daughter of the late Alban and Mary (Romanus) Saleeba.

She was a Pastry baker in her home for many years.

2022. He was the loving husband of the late Joyce (Costa) Grassie.

Everett was born in Taunton and was the son of the late Everett W. Grassie, Sr., and Merlyn (Dyer) Grassie.

He was the brother of the late Charles Grassie and Pamela Rose.

Everett was a graduate of Dighton High School where he was a talented and dedicated athlete, He was the recipient of the “Outstanding Athlete Award” through

80 Broadway, Taunton MA 02780 508.822.0081 www.silvafuneralhome.com

all four years. Everett lettered in several sports during his school career including, baseball, basketball, football and track; where he held the school record for high jump. Before being drafted for military service Mr. Grassie was even signed by the Boston Braves to play professional baseball, as an ace pitcher. Everett then went on to serve his country honorably in the US Army during the Korean War.

A man of great faith, Everett and his wife were also members of the West Dighton Christian Church for many years. Everett also served as a Deacon, Youth Group Leader and dedicated Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church of Dighton where he impacted many. He dedicated over 40 years to his career in the collision repair industry. Eventually becoming the owner and operator of Tri-Star Auto Body, where he was well respected amongst the community. Mr. Grassie never veered far from his love for sports. He went on to coach many young athletes and was an avid golfer and a lifelong member of the Rehoboth Men’s Golf League at Rehoboth Country Club. His love of golf and the outdoors led him and Joyce to winter in Margate, Florida where they spent over 20 years and made many treasured memories with family and friends.

He will be greatly missed as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. Many will remember him for his strong will and kind hearted personality.

Everett is survived by his children, Mark D. Grassie and his wife Rosalind of North Dighton and Wendy B. O’Dell and her husband William of Bristol, RI; grandchildren, Kimberly (Grassie) Gordon and her husband Eric Gordon, Nicholas Grassie, Colin and Kyle O’Dell; great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Kyla, and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 12pm -1pm in the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave., Taunton, MA 02780. Prayers and Words of Remembrance were at 1 pm.

Burial with military honors followed in the Rehoboth Village Cemetery, 190 Bay State Rd., Rehoboth. Following the burial service friends and family were invited to Crestwood Country Club, 90 Wheeler Street., Rehoboth, MA 02769, for food and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Everett’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans. 360 Westminster St, Providence, RI, 02903 https://www.dav.org Owners and Directors, Amy Silva Rigtrup, Type 3,

To leave a message for the family please Lawrence Quintal, Type 3 and visit www.hathawayfunerals.com Christine (DeLawrence) Quintal, Type 3

Marion E. (Saleeba) DeFontes

A lifelong Seekonk resident, she was a parishioner of Our Lady of Loreto Church, a Eucharistic Minister there also, she was also a CCD Teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Seekonk as well as a former parishioner there.

Marion liked gardening, doing crossword puzzles.

She especially liked being the “Sitoo” to her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mrs. DeFontes is survived by her children John DeFontes of Rehoboth, Doreen DeFontes Taylor of Seekonk, Jeffrey DeFontes and his wife Christine of Swansea.

She was the sister of Joan Marie Saleeba of Barrington.

She was the grandmother of David Taylor (Laura) Kevin Taylor (Rebekah) Jessica DeFontes. Marion was the great grandmother of Andrew Taylor, Amelia Taylor, Marc Taylor, Malcolm Taylor Hennig.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Margaret Saleeba, Sister Mary (Josephine) Romanus, William Saleeba (Emily) Catherine Queija (Aurileo), Lillian Humphrey (David), Raymond Saleeba (Diana) Wally Saleeba, Amelia (Mickey) Andre (John), Eva Powers (Alfred) Joseph Saleeba (Catherine).

Her funeral was held Thursday December 29, 2022 at 8:30am from the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME ,901 Broadway, East Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 346 Waterman Avenue, East Providence. Burial followed in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence. Relatives and friends were invited to attend. Calling hours were Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 1085 North Main Street Providence, RI 02904. www.rebellofuneralhome.com.

Norma S. (Bauman) Fuller

Rehoboth – Norma S. (Bauman) Fuller, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 17, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond D. Fuller. Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel (Card) Bauman. Norma was an avid reader, having completed a book a night. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramics, playing Bingo, and was a longtime member of the Red Hat Society. Above all Norma was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives she has touched over the past ninety-five years.

Norma leaves two sons, Kenneth D. Fuller and his wife, Linda, of Chepachet, and Wayne A. Fuller of Rehoboth; a daughterin-law, Mary Catherine Fuller of Pawtucket; six grandchildren, Jessica, Erica, Nicholas, Melissa, Benjamin, and Joshua; five great-grandchildren, Mason, Ayla, Celeste, Deagan, and Adalina; a sister, Linda Ilgen in Florida and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Robert Bauman and the sister-in-law of the late Michael Ilgen.

Services for Norma will be held after the New Year at a date to be announced.

Flowers are respectfully omitted. Memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 would be appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to William W. Tripp Funeral Home, Pawtucket, RI. For online condolences visit: TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com

Choate, Dudley A., 90, of Fieldwood Avenue, Seekonk, MA, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Rhode Island Hos-

Dudley A. Choate

pital. He was the husband of the late Eleanor M. (Hirsch) Choate. Born in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Lilly T. (Lindbloom) Choate. Dudley was employed for 36 years as a Cableman for The New England Telephone Company, retiring in 1991. He lived in Seekonk for 57 years. He was a graduate of St. Andrews School in Barrington, RI, and an Army Veteran of the Korean War, earning a Presidential Unit Citation (ROK) in 1953. He enjoyed music and classic cars. Dudley was a kind and generous person to his family, friends and neighbors. During snowstorms, he could be seen going from driveway to driveway on his Steiner snowblower, helping as many people as a possible.

He leaves behind one son, Robert A. Choate and his wife Donna of Rehoboth, MA; three daughters, Marilynn Harper and her husband Bob of Seekonk, MA, Nancy Choate of San Francisco, CA, and Elaine Choate of Seekonk, MA and five grandchildren.

As Dudley was fond of saying “My time is up, thank you for yours.”

Funeral and burial will be private. Arrangements are by the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside. For online condolences please visit wrwatsonfuneralhome.com

Linda J. King

Linda J. King, 68, of Rehoboth, passed away on December 27 at home with her beloved husband Richard. Born in Taunton to the late Richard Lamarche. She is survived by her mother Beverly Dubois of Newton, her daughter Jaimie Schilz and her husband Matt of Oregon, her brother Richard and his wife Rebecca of Florida, and her sister Laurie Raulino and her husband Lenny of Attleboro.

She was involved with 4H and the raising of farm animals all her life. She was a past member of the Rehoboth Agricultural Commission, and owned Sunny Meadow Farm. She was an avid boater and fisherman, and spent much time on her boats in Westport MA. Also a member of the Boston Mineral Club, she enjoyed travelling and camping throughout New England, collecting precious gems & minerals. Having worked in the medical profession for many years, she was employed as the Surgical Coding & Compliance manager for Beth Israel hospital in Boston. Services will be private. Donations in her name can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan)

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