Gabriel J. Contillo, 88, of Whipple Road, Smithfield, died Friday surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Elgar) Contillo. They had been married for 63 years.
Born in Johnston, a son of the late Michael and Angelina (Falco) Contillo. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. Gabe had been a Truck Driver with Wayne Distributing for 32 years before retiring. He had also been the Owner of Battle Kennels which raised and raced Greyhounds at the former Lincoln Park now Twin River in Lincoln.
He had been a member of the Teamster’s Local 251 and was a Shop Steward. He loved to cook for his family.
Besides his wife he leaves his children, June Carlton of Smithfield, Michael Contillo and his wife Cheryl of Glocester, Barbara Phayre of Smithfield, Daniel Contillo of Smithfield, Gabriel Contillo and his wife Denise of Smithfield, Anthony Contillo and his wife Lori of Lincoln and Thomas Contillo of Lincoln. He also leaves his siblings, Michael Contillo of Johnston and Carol Salzillo of Warwick, 15 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchild. He was the brother of the late Leonard Contillo and Pauline Bianchi. Father-in-law of the late Michael Phayre.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10am in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston. Visitation Wednesday 4-7pm in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917.