Committal Service

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 following 10am funeral service at Cranston Christian Fellowship (Section 65 Lot 3 Grave 8)

Walter M. Benson, 90, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014 at RI Hospital in Providence. He was the beloved husband of Linnea (Carlson) Benson of Warwick for 66 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Charles Benson and the late Beda (Flodin-Benson) Gustafson.

Walter was a committed Christian devoting 33 years of his life to Cranston Christian Fellowship as a church member, Sunday School Teacher and Deacon. He was a proud WWII Army Veteran serving 32 months stationed in the Philippines. He was a carman inspector for New York, New Hampshire and Hartford Railroad for 20 years. He enjoyed working at Baxters Jewelry for many years after leaving the railroad career. He was an avid Red Sox fan, a spiritual and passionate person in his faith to God and embraced his family at all times.

Besides his wife Linnea, he is survived by one daughter: Deborah Tramontano of Cranston; two grandchildren: Jennifer Coates and her husband Randy of Chepachet and Jason Lawless and Teresa Evangelista of Cranston; great-grandchild: Jacob Joseph Lawless and a sister: Ruth Pascone of West Warwick. He is predeceased by four siblings: Margaret Jordan, Carl, Ann and Ethel Benson.

A funeral service will be held at Cranston Christian Fellowship, 1114 Scituate Avenue, Cranston on Tuesday, January 14 at 10 AM followed with interment in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 6-8 PM at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Donations in his memory may be made to the church.

Cemetery Benefits from Boy Scout’s Military Flag Replacement Plan

Boy Scout Troop 152 North Kingstown

Members of Boy Scout Troop 152, led by Travis Sampson, replaced over 1200 worn and faded flags decorating the graves of U.S. Veterans at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Star Scout, Travis Sampson directs the scouts in the replacement plan.

The Troop annually replaces the flags as a service to the community.

First Class Scout, Trevor Cirillo

Troop 152 is chartered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 152.

Tenderfoot Scout, Tommy Wynsen

REMINDER: Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery will be holding a Memorial Day Concert at the cemetery.  Please join us in celebrating this very special occasion!

Committal Service with Military Honors
Husband of Margery F. Swift, former QMC Office Staff

Francis R. Swift, Jr.

Monday, January 9, 2012 at 11:00am Graveside (Section 14 Lot 11 Grave 1A)

Francis R. Swift, Jr., 80, of East Greenwich, went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 2, 2012 at Kent Hospital. He was the husband of Margery F. (Wyks) Swift, to whom he had been married for 56 years. Francis, or “Swifty” as he was known to both family and friends, was born in South Kingstown, RI to Francis R. Swift, Sr. and Dorothy E. (Northup) Swift.

Following his 7 year term of service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, trained as a Fighter Pilot, Swifty obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Rhode Island in 1961 and his P.E. License shortly afterward. He began his career with the State of RI as a Bridge Engineer, where he worked until his retirement in 1986.

He was a member of Quidnessett Baptist Church for many years. Swifty was an avid gardener throughout most of his life, taking particular pride in the tomatoes that he grew. He half-reluctantly kept a “lazy eye” on the Boston Red Sox, but the Rhody Rams Basketball team was a primary source of interest.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Gregory R. Swift and his wife Claire of Exeter, Alison M. Swift of East Greenwich, and Grant E. Swift of North Kingstown. Cherished grandfather of Shawna A. Swift of Cranston and Olivia H. Swift of Exeter. He was the brother of William R. Swift and his wife Margaret of Warwick.

His graveside service and burial with Military Honors will be held on Monday, January 9, 2012 in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, 6365 Post Road, North Kingstown, to which relatives and friends are invited. Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 6th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD, 140 West Main Street, Wickford Village, North Kingstown.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to Quidnessett Baptist Church, 6356 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852 will be appreciated.

Giving Thanks on Memorial Day 2011

Boy Scout Troop 152

Every year these hard working Boy Scouts from Troop 152 North Kingstown replace all the Veterans burial flags throughout the cemetery.  It is an enormous undertaking considering we have more than 1,350 Veterans resting with the gates of Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery.

Boy Scouts Placing Flags

This year the volunteer effort was organized by Scout Kyle Sayre.  They all did a terrific job!  Please join us in thanking Kyle and Boy Scout Troop 152 for their continued commitment and efforts on behalf of our Nation’s Veterans.    You may email them at troop152@ids.net

Boy Scouts Placing Flags

Lot Owner Wendy Miller organizes gardening and fun activities with her Brownie and Junior Girl Scout Troops for the benefit of QMC

Brownie Troop 1152 Volunteers

For the past two years the Brownies, who are now Junior Girl Scouts, have been planting special flower beds at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery.

On May 8, 2010, in addition to planting colorful gardens at the cemetery for their community service project, Brownie Troop 1152 also enjoyed several interesting activities.  Tim Cranston provided historical stories and Kerry Rock demonstrated gravestone rubbing to the girls.

The group returned on May 14, 2011 as Junior Girl Scouts, and once again planted some very beautiful flower beds.  They continue to do a wonderful job!

Brownies at Work

Brownie Watering Flowers

Brownies in the Rain listening to historical stories by Tim Cranston