SALVATORE 'SAL' NERI

91, formerly of Cranston, was reunited on April 3rd 2013 with his wife of 65 years, Angelina (Raspallo). Father of Salvatore Neri, Jr. and his wife Joanne (Trainor); Elizabeth Moses and her husband Larry; the late Dennis Neri and his wife Stella (Marzilli); the late Robert Neri. Grandfather of Dawn Kelly and Brian Neri; Dennis, David and Talia Neri; Larry, Jr., Jeremy and Ryan Moses; and Robert Neri, Jr. Great grandfather to Juliana, Lucas, Alyssa, Domenick, Aidan, Alex, Bryson, Summer, Maja, Luna, Noah, Mariah, Robert, Leena, and Dylan. Sal was predeceased by all eight of his siblings. Additionally, he has several nieces and nephews, as well as a multitude of adoring friends and admirers at The Bridge At Cherry Hill, where he resided for the past five years and was affectionately referred to as "The Mayor."

Born on a farm in Knightsville, Cranston he was the youngest child of the late Antonio and Lucia (Valente), Sal attended Central High School where he excelled academically and as the starting fullback on a powerful Central High football team. Forced to leave school at the age of 16 due to family impoverishment brought about by The Great Depression he took on any available employment until his enlistment in the Army shortly after the onset of World War II. Rising to the rank of Air Corps Sergeant and earning 5 stars, he was involved in The Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Invasion of Normandy. He fought for his country in Europe for 38 months until his honorable discharge from the service in November, 1945.

Sal spent 26 years as a foreman/supervisor at the United Wire plant in Cranston, he owned and operated with his son Sal,Jr., Neri Driver Training for 25 years and worked as a Field Investigator for the State of R.I. until his retirement in 1986. In 1970 he authored the novel "My Seeds Lie Scattered", a tragic tale of love and war set in Italy in the 1940's.

He will forever be remembered as a man of high integrity, brutal honesty, and deep devotion to his family. His ability to cope with the dark aspects of the human condition, battle everyday without hesitation or complaint, and move past the heart wrenching loss of his "larger than life" sons Dennis and Robert, all serve to prove just what a warrior this man was, and why he is an eminent member of "The Greatest Generation".

His funeral will be held Monday at 10:45am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory 1278 Park Avenue Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of Grace Church, Johnston. Burial, with military honors, will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Sunday 5-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the V.A. Medical Center (135),830 Chalkstone Ave. Providence, RI 02908.

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