Mr Joseph M. Brito

Joseph M. Brito, Sr., (91), died Sunday, December 22, 2013, was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, son of the late Ceasar Brito and Georgiana Travers Brito. Joseph or “Joe, Sr.” as he is often called, had three sons, Joseph M., Michael S. and the late C. Patrick Brito; 2 daughters Audrey B. Field and Mary B. Fitzgerald Doyle; two stepchildren, Beth and Ted Engell; 11 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was the husband of the late Joan Cranwell Brito and the former husband of the late Audrey P. Brito. The Britos resided on Poppasquash Rd. in Bristol and were parishioners of St. Elizabeths Church. Mr. Brito attended Bristol schools and graduated from Colt Memorial High School in 1942. During his high school days, he was a member of the Colt football team. Following graduation, Mr. Brito enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a diving instructor for the amphibious forces at Fort Pierce, Florida. He was later assigned to the 7th Beach Battalion where he remained until being honorably discharged in 1946. After returning to Bristol, Joseph joined his father, Ceasar, in the family landscaping business and gradually expanded the business into utility construction work. Later, joined by his son, Joseph M. Brito, Jr., and as of late, his grandson Christopher, four generations of family worked to develop the company into one of the largest utility contracting firms in New England. As the president of C. Brito Construction Co., Joseph had directed the installation of water, sewer and gas mains throughout the New England states. Joseph was President of Brito Enterprises, Inc., C. B. Utility Co., Inc. and C. Brito Construction Co., Inc. He actively developed real estate including the 1776/Stop and Shop Plaza and the 82-unit Courtyard at Metacom Condominiums. His business accomplishments have led to appointments as a corporator of Citizens Bank, an advisory board member of Fleet National Bank (now known as Bank of America) and a Board of Directors position at Encore Wire Corporation in Dallas, Texas. Further, Joseph served as a regional vice-president of the National Utility Contractors Association, administrative vice president of the Rhode Island Utility Contractors Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Road Builders Association. He held memberships in the National Utility Contractors Association, the Utility Contractors Association of New England and the Utility Contractors of Rhode Island. In addition to his professional work, Joseph actively participated in community affairs. In 1965 he was chairman of the March of Dimes Drive and in 1976 and 1978 he chaired the YMCA Century Club Drives. Mr. Brito served as vice president of the Board of Directors of the Bristol YMCA and on its building committee. In 1980 and 1982 Joseph served as chairman of the Yachtsmens Ball to benefit the Bristol YMCA. In 1982 he served as the Chief Marshal of the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration. Mr. Brito was a member of the Presidents Council of Salve Regina University, Newport; a member of the Board of Governors of the Mount Hope Farm Trust in Bristol; a member of the Board of Trustees at Roger Williams University, where he also received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration. He was an advisor to the Consulate of Portugal in Providence, Rhode Island; and a member of the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States. In 1993 he was made an honorary member of the Portuguese Beneficial Association Dom Luiz Filipe Society of Bristol, RI. Among his charitable contributions are the United Way, the Annual Fund of Roger Williams University, Vision of Hope and St. Elizabeths Church. Funeral Services from Mt. Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Avenue, Bristol at 10 AM, Saturday December 28th with a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeths Church, 577 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours are @ Mt. Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Avenue, Bristol on Friday, December 27th from 4:00 to 8:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Britos memory to “The Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter” and may be sent to The Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter 11 Broad Common Road, Unit 155, Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Visitation Friday December 27, 2013 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Mt. Hope Farm 250 Metacom Avenue Bristol, --> Service Saturday December 28, 2013 11:00 AM St. Elizabeth's Church 577 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 -->