DR. WILLIAM R. MACERA

Dr. William R. Macera,70, former Mayor of the Town of Johnston, R.I. died at The Bethesda Memorial Hospital in South Florida after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Dr. Maureen (Becks) Macera of Boca Raton, FL, his two beloved sons Andrew William Macera of Boca Raton, FL and stepson Philip F. Di Ruggiero of Washington, DC. Born in Providence, Dr. Macera was the son of loving parents Anna (Cardente) Macera and the late Ralph Macera of Johnston, RI. He is also survived by his sister, Lynn Macera Tzitzouris and brother-in-laws John Tzitzouris of North Providence, RI and Brian Becks of Boca Raton, FL. and his niece Mariana Tzitzouris. He is survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins of the Macera, Cardente, Scungio, Cece, Proccaccini, Lepore and Lombardi Families. Dr. Macera served The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence as a priest in the parishes of Saint Brendan, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Saint Robert Bellarmine and Saint Gregory the Great. He also served for 13 years as Director of Campus Ministry at the Community College of RI. Dr. Macera was a graduate of Our Lady of Providence Seminary and had earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Theology from the St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He also earned a second Master's in Education from the Fordham University in New York and a Doctorate in Psychology and Clinical Studies from Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. He was adjunct college professor at Bryant University, Salve Regina University, CCRI & RIC & Quinebaug Valley Community College teaching courses on Theology, Psychology and Business Ethics. His passion for public service was the guiding force throughout his life. Toward the end of his career Dr. Macera was honored to serve the Town of Johnston for 4 terms as its Mayor. Dr. Macera was introduced to politics and public service by his uncle and former RI Representative Alfred Cardente of Greenacres, FL and the late and former Cranston School Superintendent Louis Gelsomino of Johnston, RI. It was Mayor Macera's vision to bring fiscal responsibility and open honest government to his hometown. Mayor Macera was so happy to have been of service to the town he grew up in and deeply loved. The family would like to especially thank Gerald Macera and his wife Bethany for their devoted assistance and encouragement throughout Bill's long illness. Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the family's parish of St. Rocco's 927 Atwood Ave., Johnston at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Monday 4-8 p.m.

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