Gaetano Polselli

Portsmouth, RI - Gaetano Polselli, 83, of Portsmouth, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 11, 2014. He was the husband of Maureen (Arruda) Polselli.Born in Fall River, MA on May 15, 1931, he was the son of the late Gaetano and Mary (Maccarone) Polselli.Mr. Polselli grew up in Fall River and graduated from Durfee High School. He was in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and was stationed at White Sands Proving Ground for Missile technology. After his time in the service he went on to graduate from what is now known as UMass Dartmouth in 1958. He began his career with Boeing Corp. where he worked on the early space program and then at Raytheon until retiring in 1992. Mr. Polselli moved to Portsmouth in 1963 and made it his home. He was an active member of St. Anthony's Church, served as trustee, was on the Parish Council and the Building Committee. Mr. Polselli served on the Portsmouth School Committee from 1972-1976; the Portsmouth Town Council from 1976-1978; he led the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee and served as Party Chair from 1978-1980. He was re-elected to the Portsmouth Town Council from 1980- 1984. He served on the Portsmouth Water Board from 1984-2012. After retiring from Raytheon he joined his family as co-owner of Marzilli's Bakery in Fall River. He was a member of the Sons of Italy in Newport and Fall River.Besides his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his children: Aaron Polselli and his wife Michele, Duane Polselli, Scott Polselli and his wife Patricia, all of Portsmouth, RI, Lisa Baird and her husband Glenn, of Tiverton, RI, and Kristen Polselli of Portsmouth, RI; his siblings Mario Polselli of California, Rev. Leo Polselli of Easton, MA, Anthony Polselli of Arizona, Anna Lucciola and Rita Ciolfi of Fall River, MA; and his beloved grandchildren Marissa, Nicole, Erin, Marco, Lauren, Nicholas, Jenna, Alexandra and Kevin.He was predeceased by his beloved brothers Armand, Amato and Eugene Polselli.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM in St. Anthony's Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth.In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Hospice of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or, to the American Cancer Society of Rhode Island, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886. Service DEC 22. 11:00 AM St. Anthonys Church 2836 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871