Rodolfo “Rudy” Martin Barbone, 86, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2018 at Cherry Hill Manor in Johnston.
Rudy was born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 28, 1931. He was son of the late Lorenzo and Maria (Ascoli) Barbone, Italian Immigrants. He was the brother of the late Michael Barbone, Elizabeth Singletary, Rafaela Heckmann, and Lorenzo J. Barbone, Jr. Rudy is survived by a sister, Anne Barbone Colella. He also leaves several nieces and nephews he enjoyed spending time with at family gatherings throughout the years.
Rudy cherished his four daughters. He was a loving and devoted father to Gail Barbone Miller (partner David Niemczyk), Putnam, CT, Kathleen Barbone Lee and husband Michael A. Lee, Scituate, RI, Jennifer Barbone Geronaitis, Hanover, MA (partner Stephen LaPlante), and Diane Croteau Tordoff (partner David McIntyre), Pawtucket, RI.
Rudy was a proud grandfather to Abbey Miller, Waltham, MA, Emily Miller, Waltham, MA, Hannah Lee, Dallas, TX, Mikaela Lee, Scituate, RI, Jillian Lee, Scituate, RI, Jessica Geronaitis, Hanson, MA and fiancée Kavi Jaggernath, Christian Geronaitis, Hanover, MA, Stephen Croteau, Johnston, RI, and fiancée Kaitlyn Luna, and Matthew Croteau, Smithfield, RI. Pop Pop’s favorite activities sparked their curiosity and enriched their lives with the love of learning. His greatest joy was spending time watching them play sports, listening to music, engaging in trivia games, and spending quality time with each of them at playgrounds on various road trips. He taught all nine of his grandchildren how to play chess and always challenged them to become better players.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed road trips and time spent in Florida, tennis, bocce, cooking for family, and days sitting by the seashore. He will always be remembered for serving pancakes to travelers and family during the Blizzard of 78’ and preparing and serving Italian grinders at Scarborough and Olivo’s beach in Narragansett, RI. One of his favorite places to visit was Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, RI for picnics at sunset.
Rudy graduated Cum Laude from Classical High School in Providence, RI in 1949. He was a student athlete and team member of the state championship fencing team during his high school years. Rudy was inducted into the Classical High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 for fencing. He attended and studied chemistry at Brown University, Providence, RI and graduated with honors from Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences in 1954 where he was a member of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and President of his class. After graduation, he volunteered for the Army Medical Corp during the Korean War, 1954 – 1956 while stationed in Europe. He is a lifetime member of the Veteran’s of Foreign War (VFW) organization. Once returning to the United States, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Rhode Island College and earned Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) credits at the University of Connecticut. Rudy worked as a Pharmacist at LaSalle Pharmacy, Adams Drugs, Delta Drugs, and Golini Pharmacy for many years. He was also a kindhearted teacher in Warwick, RI for 32 years. He taught Math and Science at Gorton Junior High School, Warwick before retiring as a Guidance Counselor at Winman Junior High School, Warwick in 1986. Rudy especially enjoyed mentoring and supporting Warwick Neighborhood Youth Corp summer job program students. He will especially be remembered for lending a supportive and sympathetic ear to all of his students including vulnerable populations. Rudy spoke highly of his colleagues and students. He respected and counseled youth specifically pursuing vocational trades. He was a passionate and talented writer submitting many published Providence Journal “Letters to the Editor” focusing on education.
A Memorial Mass, in celebration of Rudy’s life, will be held for family and friends at St. Robert Bellarmine Church Parish, 1804 Atwood Ave., Johnston on Saturday, January 6th, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, and in support of Rhode Island Youth programs, the family respectfully requests that donations in Rudy’s memory be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Providence, 550 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 (reference in memo “Teen Workforce Development”).