"Dear Ponte family, I?m so sorry about your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. Isaiah 25:8"
In loving memory of
Anthony Carl Ponte
November 22, 1928 - September 17, 2021
Anthony Ponte, age 92, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on September 17, 2021.
Anthony was born in Bristol, RI to Manuel and Mary (Sousa) Ponte. Anthony married Joan Reilly of Newport on October 2, 1954.
Anthony spent 13 months in the Korean War. He arrived in Wonsan, Korea in November of 1950, and left Korea as the last battalion out of Hungnam, Korea, in December of 1950. He returned to the combat line during all of 1951 and during this time he received numerous awards in combat and received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action in North Korea in June of 1951.
Anthony worked for 33 years at the Newport, R.I. Post Office. He also worked at Johnson Bros. Oil burner service and the J.T. O'Connell's lumber yard where he met his wife, Joan.
Many people will miss Tony as a friend and one who gave his time to all in need. His creed was one that he always wanted to help and do things for others. Never was it about himself but what he could do for you.
Anthony is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Stephen Ponte (Gail); his grandchildren, Joshua Ponte (Breana), Kelsey Kempenaar (John), and Andrew Ponte (Kassie). Anthony is also survived by his nephew, Joseph (Beth) and their children Capri and Angelina. Anthony has two surviving sisters, Phyllis Garfield (Peter) and Mary Pinning (the Late John Pinning). Mr. Ponte will also be missed by his great-grandchildren, Violet Ponte and Kali Ponte. Other nephews include David, John and Charles Pinning; and Peter and Michael Garfield.
Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Ponte and Mary Sousa, as well as his brother, Joseph (the Late Barbara Ponte).
Calling hours will be held on Thursday September 23, 2021, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.
Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony Ponte will be held on Friday September 24, 2021, at 10:00am at Jesus Saviour Church, 509 Broadway, Newport. Burial will follow at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, Middletown.
Tributes
"To Mr. Steve Ponte, sorry for your lose."
"Sending our Condolences to Joan,, Steve and the entire Family ?? The Delehanty?s"
"Steve so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. My heart goes out to you and your family at this sorrowful time. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless!"
"Ponte Family, Condolences to all of you."
"TO THE PONTE FAMILY: MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL. COUSIN M THERESA SANTOS"
"Dear Joan, My thoughts and prayers are with you, as are those of my friend Margaret. I enjoyed meeting with you and your family when I joined David Pinning and his mother Mary in a visit to Newport in 2012. Thank you for welcoming Margaret and I into your home when we visited a few years later. We appreciated your friendship and hospitality. Hugs form both of us."
"Dear Joan Steve and family I was so saddened to hear of Tony?s passing my heart felt condolences I have many great memories of Tony and all of you in my heart thoughts and prayers Pam Maxson "
"Mrs. Ponte, Steve and family, We are so very sorry for your loss of Mr. Ponte. He was a wonderful, kind man! He will be missed by many. Our deepest Sympathy, Don and Sandy Martin "
"While I did not have the honor of meeting Mr Ponte, I did get to know his son Stephen a bit many, many more years ago than I wish to consider. If the young fellow I met-- now a respected educator, following the path he had set for himself so long ago-- is any indication, his father was a terrific role model. We are all diminished by his passing."
"Steve...Sorry for the loss of your dad. All the LaParles send their condolences. Theresa Watson"