ANTHONY R. PERSECHINO

85, of Cranston, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2012 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center, Providence. He was the beloved husband of sixty-two years to Edith A. (Branca) Persechino. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Emilio and Filomena (Maratta) Persechino. Anthony was a fork lift operator and a shop steward for the former Roger Williams Foods of Cumberland for forty-six years before retiring in 1992. He was a member of Union Local #251.

Besides his wife he is survived by his loving children, Phyllis E. Sprague and her husband Richard of Cranston, and Anthony R. Persechino, Jr. and his wife Paula of Cranston. Anthony was the cherished grandfather of Anthony R. Persechino, III, Michael A. Persechino, Richard A. Sprague, Jennifer A. Persechino, Jill, Blair, and Cory Andreasen, and was the great-grandfather of four. He was the brother of the late Ralph Persechino.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Monday at 8:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. in St. Rocco Church, 927 Atwood Avenue, Johnston. Interment will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Sunday 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home and Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.