William Arthur Tenaglia 88, of Glocester, RI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Frank and Vivian (Duval) Tenaglia. He grew up in Providence, first on Federal Hill and later on Fruit Hill, and was a proud graduate of Mount Pleasant High School.
In 1966, he married the love of his life, Stasia (Garbecki) Tenaglia. Together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. In 1967, they settled in Glocester, where they built a home and raised their family.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Stasia, and their three children: Stacie Tenaglia-Silva of North Providence, RI; Debbi Tenaglia and her husband, Mark Ericksson, of Killingly, CT; and son William Tenaglia of Cranston, RI. He was a cherished grandfather to Alexandre Silva of Carlsbad, CA; Brennan Holmes of Chicago, IL; Ryan Holmes and Deven Holmes of North Kingstown, RI; Madeleine Tenaglia and Daisy Tenaglia of Cranston, RI; and Roberto Mattiello of North Providence, RI. He also leaves behind his beloved sisters, Ann Maccarone and her husband John of Johnston, RI, and Frances Kilduff and her husband James of Scituate, RI, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph Tenaglia.
In his younger years, he was a talented athlete, excelling as a swimmer, diver, and gymnast. He later owned and operated Tenock’s Go-Kart Shop, and his love for speed and competition extended into racing cars and motorcycles. His lifelong passion, however, was restoring classic cars, which he proudly exhibited at shows from Rhode Island to North Carolina to Indiana, earning numerous awards. Whether on a motorcycle ride, under the hood of a car, or surrounded by his family, he lived with energy, pride, and love.
Above all else, he treasured his family, who will remember him for his devotion, humor, and passion for life.
A Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 10am in St. Phillips Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville, R.I.. Burial will be private at a later date.