John C. Navilliat

81, died on May 11, 2018 at the Hope Hospice Center in Providence.  He was the beloved husband of Rita (Pimenta) Navilliat.  Born in Pittsburgh, PA, John was the son of the late John P. and Helen (Eidenmiller) Navilliat.  

John was a graduate of the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA and earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design working at several Rhode Island architectural firms throughout his career.  His first architectural project working for William D. Warner was on the Roger Williams Park Zoo; he retired 45 years later, his last job once again at the Zoo.  

John loved baseball and greatly enjoyed working with the players.  He began coaching Little League in 1975 followed by years of coaching Babe Ruth, and American Legion baseball.  In 1987 he started coaching at the college level.  Over the years he served as assistant coach at Brown University, Providence College and Bryant.  In 1999, John helped lead the PC Friars to the NCAA Regionals.  John also was the assistant football coach at Hope High School helping that team to the State Championship at Class C in 1985.

After moving to Rhode Island to study at RISD, he remained an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  John also enjoyed fine woodworking, photography, traveling, spending time with family and his dog, Bruce.  Besides his wife of 37 years, he is survived by his sister, Beverly Ruby and her husband Paul of Pittsburgh, PA.  He was the father of three sons and one daughter.  Mark Navilliat and his wife Anne Brehmer of Denver, CO; James Navilliat and his wife Saskia of Lincoln, RI; Dan Navilliat and his wife Joanne of Escondido, CA and Jessica Navilliat of Johnston, RI.  John had seven grandchildren.

His memorial service will be held on Friday, May 18 at 11AM at Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, Providence, RI.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Hope Alzheimer’s Center, 25 Brayton Ave., Cranston, RI  02920. 

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