Antonio Fantetti

Antonio Fantetti, 91, passed away at Kent County Hospital after a short illness on Saturday December 29, 2012. Antonio was born in Providence on November 17, 1921 and was a resident of North Providence from 1955 to 2012. He was a recent resident at Scalabrini Villa.
Antonio was the son of the late Donato and Giovannina (Barletta) Fantetti and brother to the late Vincent (Jimmy), Michael Fandetti , and Jenny Santoro.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Rose Taylor (Tella), his daughter Donna Yena and son-in-law John Yena of East Greenwich and his son Paul of Astoria, New York. He is survived by his sister Anna Ripa of Cranston, 2 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and scores of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Antonio joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1938 and served with distinction until his discharge in 1945. He was highly decorated for his service in Europe as an Aerial Reconnaissance Photographer. He was employed as a Crater and Packer at the Civilian Battalion Base at Davisville, RI from 1947 until his retirement in 1975. Antonio was an avid amateur photographer, historian of Italo-American Culture in Providence and traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America and the Caribbean. He served as a founding Board member of Echo Molise ( www.echomolise.org ), a nonprofit organization helping connect descendants of immigrants from Bonefro, Campobasso and the Molise on whose website he published his memoir “Growing Up on the Hill” . Tony is remembered by friends and family as always being there to help out in times of crisis, for his sharp intelligence, strong political leanings and in depth knowledge of history.
His Funeral will be held, Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 9 a.m. from MACERONI FUNERAL HOME, 1381 Smith St., North Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Mary, Mother of Mankind Church, 25 Fourth St., North Providence. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITATION Tuesday 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Scalabrini Villa, 860 North Quidnessett Rd., North Kingstown, RI 02852.