Dean Aurecchia

84, of Arlington, Virginia, previously of Johnston, died on Monday, October 17, 2016, following a short illness. Dean was born in Johnston, RI on November 15, 1931 to Antonio R. and Eufrasia (Iannuccilli) Aurecchia. He is survived by his  brother Albert Aurecchia and cherished nieces and nephews. Dean was predeceased by brothers Walter , Luigi, Americo, Adolph and sisters, Anne DiRaimo, Elissa Okerblom and Delmazia Cute.

Mr. Aurecchia was a cartographer for 38 years with the Army Map Service, which later became the Defense Mapping Agency. He started his career with the Providence Field Office and moved to the Washington, DC office in 1953. For a time he was employed by the US Agency for International Development . Dean's assignments included mapping projects in Florida, Nevada, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Colorado. Later assignments took him to Africa for 4 years, in Ethiopia, Sudan and Liberia. He then went to Mexico, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic in Latin America for 3 years.

Following his retirement he continued pursuits he felt were as enlightening as they were rewarding. He was a volunteer with a consumer protection advocacy group. But as an amateur historian, he found the three years he served as a docent with the National Archives and Records Administration most rewarding. He continued his enthusiasm for sailing the Chesapeake Bay, skiing , photography, bicycling and genealogy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10 am in St. Rocco's Church, Johnston, RI . Burial will take place in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston, RI. Visiting hours and flowers are respectfully omitted.