Antonio 'Tony' Guerra

87, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on October 11, 2014. He was born in Manfredonia, Italy, on March 30, 1927, son of the late Matteo and Giovanna (Castriotta) Guerra. He was the beloved husband of sixty-one years to Maria M. Guerra. Tony graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in January 1945, and served in the Navy aboard the SS Kearsarge. He graduated from Northeastern University, and met Maria DeFinis while visiting Italy with his parents; they married on June 25, 1953. After beginning his career as an architect with The Robinson, Green, Beretta Corporation, Tony created Delta Construction Company, one of the first design-build construction firms in the Northeast, in 1962. He was a visionary, and a pioneer in the field of historic preservation. Tony's most prominent contribution to Rhode Island and to the city of Providence was his purchase and renovation of the former Browne & Sharpe Manufacturing Plant, currently known as The Foundry Corporate Office Center and Promenade Apartments. Tony finalized the purchase of this historic complex in 1968, on the day his last son was born. The renovation of the last building in the complex is currently underway. Tony was a supporter of St. Anthony's Church in North Providence. He enjoyed traveling and celebrating milestones with his family. He will miss playing golf and cards with his friends at the Alpine Country Club. Tony was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2003. He fought the disease with strength and dignity, and is remembered for his warm, friendly smile. He pursued his vision faithfully until the day he passed, and was selected to receive the 2014 Community Preservationist Award from the Providence Preservation Society on November seventh. Tony is predeceased by his brother Michael and his twin brother Frank. He is also survived by his sister Lucy DeLisi and her husband Leo, and his brother Lee. Tony and Maria had nine children - Mathew Guerra and his wife Charlene, Marie Marcello, Virginia Thomas and her husband Anthony, Thomas Guerra and his wife Susan, Jean Tracy and her husband David, Joanne Guerra, Marisa Nero and her husband Kevin, James Guerra, and the late Anthony Guerra - and fifteen grandchildren: Cheri, Matthew, Erica, Tony, Giana, Anthony and his wife Jen, Deana, Jeffrey, Gian, Kimberly, Justin, Andrew, Alexander, Alexa, and Alec. Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Anthony's Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Entombment will be in the Guerra family mausoleum in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. VISITING HOURS Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Charitable contributions can be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Research Fund, at Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd. Providence, RI 02906.

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