LUIGI "LOUIE" AVARISTA

93, of Ausdale Rd., Cranston passed away on Monday, May 10, 2010 at R.I. Hospital. He was the husband of Lenora (Mastriani) Avarista. He was born in Providence a son of the late Antonio and Maria (Campana) Avarista. In 1938 Louie Avarista established Empire Furniture on Federal Hill in Providence. Mr. Avarista was on the Board of Directors of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, the descendent of a group that he and other progressive merchants on Federal Hill organized and was also a Past President of that group. Mr. Avarista received numerous awards for his outstanding service to Federal Hill and his community. He sat on the Board of Directors and was a Past President of the Retail Furniture Dealers Association of Rhode Island. He was also a past member of the Lions Club International. Beside his wife he is survived by his children, Louis Avarista of Cranston, Verna Guerin of Coventry, Linda Iozzi of Cranston and Anita Lemos and her husband Alberto of Lincoln. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and was the brother of Irma Tortolani of Providence and the late Mario Avarista, Delia Avarista and Joseph Avarista. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday at 11: am in St. Mary's Church, Cranston St., Cranston. Burial will take place in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS ARE RESPECTFULLY OMITTED. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

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