Thomas R. Vessella

80, of Cranston, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, April 30, 2017, in the comfort of his home. He was the beloved husband of fifty-nine years to Elaine M. (Pallante) Vessella. Born in Cranston, he was a son of the late Antonio L.G. Vessella, Sr. and Anna (Crudale) Vessella. Tom served in the Rhode Island Air National Guard for thirty-two years, attaining the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a retired teamster and member of Union Local # 251, East Providence. Tom was a driver for the former Super Value Foods Company of Cranston for thirty-one years, before retiring in 1996. He was a communicant of Saint Mary Church and a member of the Holy Name Society.

His greatest passion was cooking; famous for making his creative tasty pizzas, friends and family always counted on him to excite their appetite. Hard work, deep faith and devotion to family were hallmarks of his life. Always calm and genteel, Tom was loved and will be missed by all of his family, friends and colleagues.

Besides his wife he is survived by his devoted children, Thomas A. Vessella and his wife Ann Marie, Rhonda M. Bucci and her husband Ronald, all of Cranston, and the late Mark F. Vessella and his wife Deanna of Troy, NY. He was the cherished grandfather of Victoria, Robert, and Thomas Vessella, Jr., Olivia Marc, and Xavier Vessella, and Mary and Nicole Bucci. Tom was the brother of Anna Schoonmaker of Cranston, Antonio L.G. Vessella, Jr. of West Warwick, and the late Joseph A. Vessella.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 1525 Cranston Street, Cranston. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS are respectfully omitted.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, 2374 Post Road, Warwick, RI  02886-2270, or Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.