Thomas Gracia Moitoza

Thomas G. Moitoza Jr., 92, died peacefully December 19, 2018, at Orchard View Manor, Riverside, RI.Born in Portsmouth October 10, 1926, he was the son of the late Thomas G. and Filomena Fanny Perry (Escobar) Moitoza.Tom was a 1948 graduate of Rogers High School where he was a member of the ROTC Battalion. He was a World War II veteran with duty in the Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. He received many decorations including the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, the American Theatre Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.For 34 years Tom worked at Naval Station Newport where he began his career as a forklift operator at the cold storage plant under the Naval Supply Center servicing Building 47 and Pier 2. When the fleet left Newport in 1973, he worked at the Ney Hall Galley at the Officer Candidate School. He was also a truck driver delivering food and supplies to galleys located at the Groton Submarine Base, Davisville, and Quansett Point.Upon retirement from federal civil service, Tom worked as a security guard for 25 years throughout Newport to include Newport Shipyard, Newport Onshore, Newport Imports, as well as many local hotels, banks, and restaurants. He climbed to the rank of Chief and concluded his security career at P.D. Humphrey in Tiverton, RI. One of his most memorable security details was on the set of the local filming of the movie, Mr. North, at several Newport mansions and Blithewold mansion in Bristol.Tom enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was an usher at Jesus Saviour Church. Beside his wife, Ana (Vargas) Moitoza, he leaves a daughter, Mary Ann (Moitoza) Hall and her husband, Thomas F. Hall of Middletown. He also leaves a grand-daughter, Laurie A. Hall, currently attending Ithaca College. He was the brother of the late Margaret F. (Moitoza) Rogers and Joseph G. Moitoza currently of Bristol, RI.Visiting hours will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, on Sunday, December 23, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.Funeral services will begin on Monday, December 24, 2018 at 8:30 AM at Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Jesus Saviour Church 1 Vernon Avenue, Newport, RI at 9:30 AM.Burial with military honors will immediately follow at St. Columbas Cemetery, Middletown, RI.