Anthony Soscia

Posted

Anthony Soscia, 100, of Cranston, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 8th, 2018 at Roberts Health Center, North Kingstown. He was the beloved husband of the late Anna (Martinelli) Soscia, and he was happily married for 56 years. Anthony was surrounded by his loving family leading up to his final hours.

Born in Knightsville, Rhode Island, Anthony was the second of eleven children, oldest son of the late Pasquale and Maria Civita (Ruggieri) Soscia. Anthony worked in a foundry, in construction and in a textile mill. He worked at Cranston Print Works for about 30 years, but Anthony will more so be remembered for being a lifelong farmer (Soscia Farms). “Do what you love”—this is what kept Anthony Soscia pursuing his passion for farming from when he was a kid until his mid-90’s. Anthony Soscia was a remarkable example of what it means to be humble, kind, compassionate, giving, hard working, faith-filled, grateful…an extraordinary individual. He always saw the good in everyone and he would always help anybody. Anthony valued family, his faith and farming. God was the center of his life and he would turn to Scripture for any answer he needed. He never worried about anything because he knew God would provide. Anthony was appreciative of every day God gave him, and he would often say especially in his older years “Every day is a bonus”. Anthony was a man of simple pleasures. He received pure joy from watching things grow, being on the tractor, playing cards with his grandkids, fishing, and helping others. Anthony touched the lives of many. He was such an inspiration to other people that several articles were written about him in the Providence Journal and the Cranston Herald. One article in the Journal recognized him as one of the “People of the Year” in 2006. Anthony’s philosophy of life led him to be in this world for an entire century and have no regrets about anything.

Anthony is survived by his four devoted children: Anthony R. Soscia and his wife Patricia of Cranston, Kathleen A. Soscia of West Warwick, Ronald J. Soscia and his wife Ann of Warren, and Kenneth A. Soscia and his fiancé Barbara Cole of Warwick. He was the former father-in-law of Marianne Manzi and like a second Dad to Rosanna Gaulin. He was the adored Grandpa to seven loving grandchildren: Jason A. Soscia, Matthew R. Soscia, Nicholas P. Soscia, Jeffrey M. Soscia, Jennifer (Soscia) Carulli, Laura Soscia an Kerri (Soscia) Greenberg. Anthony also had seven great-grandchildren: Ravina, Isabella, Sofia, Chloe-Rose, Lorenzo, Liliana, Landon, and one step great-grandson, Aiden. Anthony was the brother of the late Blanche Morra, Immaculata “Mickey” Graziano, John Soscia, Rocco Soscia, Emma DiRaimo, Georgianna Fraccola, Mary Keneally, Anna Rotondo and Arlene Resendes and Pasco E. “Junior” Soscia. He was loved by his many nieces and nephews and will be extremely missed by all.

Visiting Hours will be held on Saturday morning, January 13th, from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Nardolillo Funeral Home & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI. His funeral will also be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Cranston, followed by a Christian Burial in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.