Tony "Lem" Socci 70, passed away peacefully at his home in Glocester, RI. Thursday, August 22, 2019. He was the husband of Joanne (Luoni) Socci. They had been married for 46 years.
Born in Brighton, MA, he was the son of the late Carmine and Carmela (DiVito) Socci. He had lived in Glocester for 40 years.
Growing up in Brighton, Tony loved living across the street from a schoolyard and this helped develop his early love for sports. Tony loved playing Baseball and Basketball as a child and young adult. He also liked to tell stories of his glory days, and once took his son Michael up to Boston to measure his (444 foot) tape measure homerun he hit back in High School. Tony also talked often of his time scrimmaging with his college roommate against Boston Celtics Players in his 20’s and just barely… losing.
Tony worked for several area jewelry manufacturing companies, starting as an Industrial Engineer in 1976 then moving on to Engineering Manager, Operations Manager, and Vice President, most recently for Uncas Manufacturing in Providence, RI, before retiring in 1999. After his retirement he worked for 12 years part time as a marine fisheries surveyor.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children: Michael J. Socci and his wife, Dana of Cumberland, Julianne Socci of Glocester, his brother: Albert Socci, and his wife Brenda of Pennsylvania, his nephews Matthew and Aaron, his three grandchildren, Jared, Vivian, and Zachary, and numerous cousins.
Tony was a man dedicated to his Roman Catholic faith. He was a Eucharistic minister, a lector, a member of the financial planning committee, co-chairmen of the capital campaign, and was an active participant in the bible study group. He attended daily mass and participated in events at St. Theresa’s Shrine in Nasonville, RI.
Tony loved volunteering to help those less fortunate. He spent 15 years volunteering with Meals on Wheels and supported many faith based charities during his lifetime. He also enjoyed hosting Catholic young adult group get togethers at his home in Glocester.
Tony had many hobbies that he was also passionate about. Tony loved to fish, especially fly fishing down the cape and also loved hunting with his dog Simone. Tony also really enjoyed yard work and gardening, and was meticulous about both, especially his prized Socci Tomatoes. Tony also enjoyed wine making, and made several delicious varieties. Dad enjoyed sports and was a wonderful “Gampy” to his 3 beautiful grandchildren. Dad especially enjoyed playing “catch game” and “Pool Challenges”. Dad also had a passion for the Red Sox and loved going to games at Fenway with his son Michael. Dad loved taking long walks in the neighborhood with his daughter Julie. Tony loved taking long rides to the beach with his wife Joanne who would read the paper while he fished. He loved to go on camping and biking trips with his wife Joanne and daughter Julie.
Tony had a knack for re-purposing things, and when something was broke he would often find a way of ‘MacGyver-ing” it into serving another purpose, and would certainly brag to all about how smart he was during this process.
Tony also had a love for food and cooking, one of his favorite days of the year was Christmas Eve. Every year for the past 30 years, Tony would cook the feast of 7 fishes, adding more and more dishes to the feast each year.
His funeral will be held Tuesday at 9 am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt. 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be at 10 am at Our Lady of Good Help, 1063 Victory Highway, Burrillville. Burial will follow in Acote’s Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. Visitation Monday 4-7pm. Donations in his memory may be made to Our Lady of Good Help Outreach Fund, 1063 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI 02839 or St. Theresa Shrine, 35 Dion Dr., Harrisville, Rhode Island 02830