Mr Freeman Dias

Chief Petty Officer Freeman Dias, US Navy Retired, age 82 of Bristol, died unexpectedly Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Natalie (Carvalho) Dias, his wife of 55 years who died this past February. Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, he was a son of the late Sebastian and Mary Piedade (Rebello) Dias. Freeman was a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars era for 20 years, retiring in 1966. Following his retirement from the Navy he worked at Roger Williams University, retiring after 25 years of employment. Freeman was well known and liked in the local Catholic community, he was a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Church, Bristol, a member of the Saturday morning Divine Mercy Devotion and a daily Mass communicant both at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, a member of the former House of Judah prayer group. His passion for his faith and his frequent generosity often manifested itself in volunteering for area charities such as Our Lady of Fatima High School, Columban Fathers and Meals on Wheels among others. Freeman also travel on pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina on a number of occasions. Mr. Dias enjoyed his retirement in Bristol, taking regular walks on the East Bay Bike Path, producing hand crafted crosses that he offered to acquaintances and strangers alike, and relaxing on his porch. He is survived by three children, JoAnn D. Castro and her husband, Ken of Bristol, Michael A. Dias of Providence and Elizabeth S. Caito and her husband Doug of Barrington, seven grandchildren, Christine Raposa and her husband Justin, Corrinne Dias, Michael A. Dias, Jr., Alexander J. Castro, Joseph W. Caito and Hailey and Emily Dias, two great grandchildren, David Raposa and Hunter Dias, two sisters, Rose Selley of Bristol and Linda A. Richer of Coventry and a brother, Sebastian Dias, Jr. of Bristol. He was preceded in death in addition to his wife and parents by five brothers and sisters, Domenic, Helen, William and Helen Dias and Mary Almeida. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Elizabeth's Church, 577 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Columban Fathers, 65 Ferry Road, P.O. Box 65, Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions www.sansonefuneralhome.com

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Visitation Tuesday November 15, 2011 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Wednesday November 16, 2011 10:00 AM St. Elizabeth's Church 577 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 -->