JOHN J. "BROOKLYN" BATTISTA, SR

81, of Birch St., Cranston passed away on Monday, December 21, 2009 at home. He was the former husband of Mary (Natalizia) Battista of Cranston. He was born in the Bronx, NY, a son of the late Angelo and Mildred (D'Orio) Battista and he had resided in Cranston for the past 60 years. Mr. Battista was a shop steward employed at the former Narragansett Brewery Co, Cranston until his retirement. He was a Navy veteran of WW II and a member of St. Mary's Feast Society, the Santa Maria di Prata Society, Kelley-Gazzzero VFW Post all of Cranston and the Johnston Senior Center. He is survived by his children, Mildred Santilli and her husband John of Johnston, John J. Battista Jr. and his wife Beverly of Cranston and Robin Beyer and her husband Keith of Cranston. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandson and a sister Bertha Vero of NYC. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 9: am in Holy Apostles Church, 800 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. Burial, with military honors will take place in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.

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