Committal Service with Military Honors
James I. Gifford, Jr.
Friday, June 1, 2012 following 12 Noon funeral in St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church (Section 94 Lot 4 Grave 6)
James I. “Sam” Gifford,, Jr., 86, passed away on May 27, 2012 after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late June (Soderberg) Gifford and a son of the late James I. Gifford, Sr. and Florence (Blomster) Gifford.
He is survived by his daughters: Judith Gifford Preston (Christopher T. Rafferty) and Jane Gifford Treat (Taylor Rowe Treat); five grandchildren: Ronald James Preston (Kerri Turgeon), Ashley E. Preston (Jason Yager), Matthew W. Preston, Andrew R. Treat, and Dana E. Treat; and three great-grandchildren: Amanda June Preston, Cole A. Preston, and Kayla E.Yager. He was predeceased by his brother Fred B. Gifford.
Sam graduated as salutatorian from East Providence High School, Class of 1943. Upon graduation he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Radioman 2nd Class aboard the LST 223. He then graduated from Rhode Island State College (now University of Rhode Island) in 1950 where he was a 1st Lt. in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and a brother of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and years later presented his Eagle pin to his grandson, Andrew. Sam became a CPA and partner in Christiansen and Company of Woonsocket which later merged with Ernst and Young before retiring in 1986.
Sam was active in the Rhode Island Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve serving as treasurer for 16 years; member of the American Legion Stark-Parker Post #21, East Providence, and more recently Auburn Post #20, Cranston; a member of the Squantum Association since 1983; a sixty-year member of Pioneer Lodge #506 of the Vasa Order of America; and a lifelong member of Newman Congregational Church. He loved vacationing at the beach with his family, but his greatest pleasure was simply spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and could always be found cheering them on by the rink, field, or court.
His funeral service will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 12 Noon in St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston, RI 02920. Family and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Burial with military honors will be in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, North Kingstown. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. David’s Church.
