In Memoriam

A resident of Cumberland RI was a Marine and a hard working individual whose line of work included boiler tender for the Grinnell foundry. Later he would operate a jewelry job shop on Federal Hill. He retired at age 62 and spent the intervening years enjoying his family and friends.

Jerry Bernardini, 80, of Warwick, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Egidio and Margaret (Currao) Bernardini.

Jerry attended primary school in Springfield Gardens, NY and graduated from Newtown High School in Elmhurst, NY. He went on to attend the R.C.A. Institute in NYC, Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and Sanford University in California completing his
studies with a master's degree. Jerry worked as an electrical engineer with Bell Labs/AT&T, he retired, moved to Rhode Island and opened a number of coffee cafes called Peaberry's in Providence and surrounding towns. He then worked as a consultant before moving to Warwick as an Adjunct Professor at CCRI until his retirement.

He was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and various Rhode Island Woodworking Groups including RI Woodturners. He was
instrumental in introducing WindWinRI to schools and was very involved in projects with the National KidWind Group of RI. Along with an amazing group of similar minded friends he pursued his passions of kayaking (including building them) hiking, camping and mountain climbing throughout the country and Europe.

After his passing his family donated many of his tools to the Wood Workers and Wood Turners in his memory.

Larry Dunklee was born in Providence RI and was a graduate of Hope High School in 1949. After high school, Larry went on to Boston University on a basketball scholarship and later played semi-pro basketball. During the Korean war years, Larry was a member of the 43rd Infantry Division of the RI Army National Guard and was stationed in Germany. Upon returning from service Larry continued to excel and contribute to his community by working for the telephone company for 28 years, being a member and President of the North Kingston Chamber of Commerce and the North Kingston Rotary. To the members of the Ocean Woodturners, Larry was affectionately known to as "Lunkadunk". He was an avid turner of bowls, pens and any project that came along from within the club of from his family and friends. Larry was a generous person who was always smiling, willing to lend a joke, an ear or a hand in anything that was going on. He could always be counted on for breaking the ice, saying what needed to be said or being the first to volunteer for a good cause.