MAJOR WILLIAM R. PANICCIA, SR. Ret. PPD

Major William R. Paniccia, Sr. Ret. PPD 86, of Providence and Hollywood, FL passed away on Thursday January 7, 2010 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, South Carolina. He was the beloved husband of Madeline (DiFolco) Paniccia. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Gabriele and Leonilda (Marcello) Paniccia. Mr. Paniccia joined the Providence Police Department in 1947 rising through the ranks to the position of Major, and retired in 1983. William entered the USN in 1943 and was commissioned in 1945 after graduating from the Harvard Business School. He was then assigned to active duty at Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines Islands until his discharge in 1946, after which he remained active in the Naval Reserve until his retirement in 1965, having attained the rank of Lieutenant (SC). William was a 1965 Providence College graduate, and also attained Babson Institute, FBI Anti Terrorist School and the US Treasury Dignitary Protection School. He was a member of Prov. FOP Lodge #3, Prov. Ret. Police and Fire Assn., Prov. Police Assn, RI Commissioned Police Officers Assn, AMVETS Post 13, RI Italian-American Police Officers Assn, Laborers Local 1033, and Naval Reserve Officers Assn. Besides his beloved wife he is survived by his loving sons, William R. Paniccia Jr. of Hollywood, FL and Robert J. Paniccia of Myrtle Beach, SC. He was also the brother of Julio Paniccia of Matunuck, and was the cherished grandfather of William R. Paniccia III and his wife Vanessa, Christine Davis and her husband Stephen, and was the great grandfather of William R. Paniccia IV and Lena Elizabeth Paniccia. William was also the father in-law of Marsha Paniccia. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Bartholomew's Church, Laurel Hill Ave. Providence. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS: Monday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Division of Development, 400 7th St., NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20004.

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