In Our Care

Robert J. Avila

04/30/1933 - 02/23/2021

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Obituary For Robert J. Avila

Robert Joseph Avila, 87, of Warren, Rhode Island, and Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully at home in Warren on February 23, 2021.

He was born in Warren to the late Francisco and Pauline Avila on April 30, 1933. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Josephine (Catalano) Avila, and daughters Robin Remy, Leslie Dunn (Jamie), and Tracey Avila, who watched Jeopardy with him every night.

He is also survived by grandson Rob Remy and granddaughters Beth Marrier, Kate Marrier, and Alli Marrier Carey (Ian, Carys, and Cameryn).

Bob graduated from the University of Rhode where he participated in the U.S. Armys ROTC Program. He went on to serve many years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Bob founded Town & Country Transportation and Leasing Corporation, which grew into one of the largest privately-owned school bus contractors in the Northeast. He received national recognition for his work in transportation safety. He was responsible for establishing the East Bay Chamber of Commerce. He was a longstanding member of the Warren Rotary Club and past Club President. Bob spent 35 years managing the Food Service Operations for the Warren Quahog Festival, which became the main fundraising event for the Warren Rotary Club.

Bob was a faithful lifelong Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan and enjoyed watching their games alongside his loudly cheering wife, JoAnn. He lived a full life vacationing, cruising, and dining with his family and his large circle of friends. Bob and JoAnn spent their later years at their home in Sarasota and the Siesta Key Condo.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visiting hours on Sunday, February 28,2021, from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm at the SMITH FUNERAL and MEMORIAL SERVICES,8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren, RI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 1,2021, at 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 500 Metacom Avenue, Warren, RI. Burial will immediately follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol, RI.

COVID - 19 Rules will be applied. Everyone in attendance of the wake and church service MUST wear a mask and maintain social distancing rules.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Robert J. Avila Foundation, c/o Robin Remy, 21 Avenue A, Warren, RI 02885. The Robert J. Avila Foundation awards college scholarships to Warren students and makes significant contributions to the community.

Please go to www.wjsmithfh.com to express condolences.

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Condolences

  • 04/27/2021

    So sorry to learn of Bob's passing. We spent many shared times at Rotary events. My condolences. Roger Brown

  • 04/27/2021

    So sorry to learn of Bob's death. I have many fond memories of him from our rotary days. My condolences. Roger Brown.

  • 04/27/2021

    Just learned of Bob's passing. I flew Bob and Josephine to Martha's Vineyard a few years ago for a lunch in Katama. Fun day. Bob always took care of the less fortunate. Saw this first hand. They seemed to enjoy the flight. I was his paperboy back in the 60's. Always a gentleman. I will miss him.

  • 04/27/2021

    Dear JoAnn, I grew up knowing you when I lived with Tillie and my mother, Mary Abbruzzi Larsen, in Warren. You were a dear friend of my Aunt Margaret. I was very sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, Bob. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this moment. Judy Howell

  • 04/27/2021

    Bob was always a sincere and courteous person. My sincere condolences to the family.

  • 04/27/2021

    I worked for Bob 30 years ago. I also worked with Tracy in the billing department for school contracts. Bob was a kind & generous man. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  • 04/27/2021

    We extend our condolences to Bobâ??s family, as well as to his many friends and business associates. Ernest and Suzanne Mayo

  • 04/27/2021

    Tracey and family I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of all your happy times with your Dad make you smile even as you miss him. You are in my thoughts at this hard time. Claudine Corey

  • 04/27/2021

    Our sincere condolences to Joann and the girls for your loss. Bob was our first cousin and we will always remember him for his kindness and generosity. May he rest in eternal peace. Francis Menezes Ernest Menezes

  • 04/27/2021

    You will be missed uncle Bob. Thank you for being Pop popâ??s best friend. We were grateful at a low time in our lives when we used your beautiful house in Florida. We were very grateful. Thank you for all you did! My sincere condolences to auntie JoAnn and my cousins. We love you and will miss uncle Bob! Mark, Rosa, Gavin, and Brooke

  • 04/27/2021

    Tracey, our deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your Dad. He was a remarkable person who achieved so much and provided such a beautiful life for your family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Avila family during this difficult time. ~The Oliveira Family

  • 04/27/2021

    Dear Auntie Jo, Robin, Leslie, and Tracey, Our hearts go out to all of you at this painfully sad time. Uncle Bob was such a kind soul. We always looked forward to our Christmas gatherings so many years ago. Those family gatherings were the highlight of our holidays in our younger days. Uncle Bob has always held a special place in my heart and will for the rest of my days. With love from Dawn, Skip, and family...

  • 04/27/2021

    My condolences to the Avila family. Al Bettencourt

  • 04/27/2021

    My sincerest condolences go out to all of Bobâ??s family members. Iâ??m sure JoAnn and the girls will miss him terribly, just as Iâ??m sure theyâ??ll all have great memories. I worked for Bob for quite a few years, first at Town and Country, then part-time keeping the books for his real estate â??empire.â?? A fond memory: I asked Bob what a check was for that was sent somewhere on the other side of the world. He said it was for â??earthquake relief.â?? I asked if he knew someone there. Bob said â??No, I just feel bad for them.â?? Thatâ??s the Bob I remember. May he Rest In Peace.

  • 04/27/2021

    a great man, may you rest in peace bob & lea

  • 04/27/2021

    To Bob's family We will miss Bob's daily walk around our Circle. He and Bingo always stopped to thank us for planting flowers in our yard that he would watch and enjoy from his window. I have a granddaughter who learned how to sing B-I-N-G-O from Bob. Thank you for being a nice neighbor, Bob. Condolences to the Avila family. Alvin and Prima Hower, your neighbors

  • 04/27/2021

    May our condolences and prayers ease the pain of your loss. Bob and Joan Lawrence

  • 04/27/2021

    Auntie Jo, Robin, Leslie and Tracey, Uncle Bobâ??s presence here will be missed but his memory will endure. The best Holy Ghost auctioneer, having the best blueberry patch on what is now the â??Plazaâ?? on Metacomet Avenue, playing cards in the garage on Labor Day near Grampa Bernsteinâ??s on the corner Metacom and Laurel Lane, the quirky boat names, always the generous host for the yearly family Christmas parties and always working the tent at the Quahog Festival. May his memory forever be a blessing. Love, Deb, Charles and family

  • 04/27/2021

    Condolences to the family on the loss of a wonderful and generous person. RIP Donna Gablinske

  • 04/27/2021

    Dear Tracey and Fam, Gwenn and I are thinking of you now and hoping you will heal from this loss in time. We are sending positive thoughts and wishing you all the peace that surely goes along with a life well lived. I spent several days with Bob a few years ago acting as his driverâ?¦.and his passenger when he wanted to take the wheel. We shared a lot of his stories and visited a few of his best friends and had lunch together at Amaral's. He is an amazing person, a true gentleman, an elder statesman, and someone so rare and special that I was very lucky to have known. He is a very successful gut that never lost track of his humble beginning. Truly a rare breed. He leaves a life long lasting impression on me and his efforts to pass along a little wisdom were not lost with me. I like to think he's looking down and as he always hasâ?¦.is watching out for us in his gentle way. We have a new angel guiding our way. With a twinkle in his eye and a wink and a smile we will all miss him and remember him in our own way. Jim Bousquet

  • 04/27/2021

    Auntie Jo, Leslie, Robin and Tracey, From Christmas celebrations, playing cards in the garage on Labor day near Nana and Grampa's on Metacom Ave. His two funny named boats. Uncle Bob's memory will always be a bright light in my heart.

  • 04/27/2021

    Jo-Ann, Robin, Leslie and Tracey, so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.

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