Sansone Funeral Home

11/01/2025

Seraphin "Fee" DaPonte

Seraphin “Fee” DaPonte, a lifelong resident of Bristol, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, at the age of 91, surrounded by his beloved wife and devoted family. He was the cherished husband of Marjorie (Gardiner) DaPonte, with whom he had just celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage this past September.

Fee was a proud father to Mary Caron (Don), Seraphin (Celeste Berry), Kathy Floor (Adam), Michael (Susan Cabral), and Carol Castigliego (Bruce). His love for family was the foundation of his life.

Born on July 24, 1934, to Georgina (Almeida) and Serafim DaPonte, Fee was raised on the Perry Plat. He began his working life running the family’s poultry farm and delivery business, a humble beginning where he developed his strong work ethic. In 1969, alongside his wife Marge, he founded DaPonte’s Landscaping, a business that became a trusted and enduring part of the East Bay community. Fee took immense pride in his work and retired (he would say “never!”), comforted by the knowledge that his children and grandchildren would carry on his legacy. He was born, lived, and worked on the same land for his entire life.

A proud Bristolian, Fee was honored to be selected as the 202nd Chief Marshal of the Bristol Fourth of July Parade (1987). July 4th was his favorite day of the year, and he could always be found on High Street at his son’s home, often stopping the parade to greet marchers with handshakes and hugs. Fee truly embodied the spirit of the celebration and the “American Dream”.

Fee and Marge were worldwide travelers. They shared their love of travel with their children and grandchildren, creating lasting memories including family adventures in Florida and milestone anniversary trips to both Bermuda (50th) and the Bahamas (60th).

He spent many winters in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he enjoyed golfing with his buddies and playing cards with Marge and their many friends and visitors. He brought his boat from Bristol to Florida so he could share his love of the ocean with his friends in both locations. His welcoming warmth, humor, and good-natured ribbing made him a beloved friend to many.

Becoming a “Papa” was one of Fee’s greatest joys. He is survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life. His legacy will continue through their laughter, stories, and demands for golf-cart rides.

Fee was predeceased by his siblings: Manuel, Mary, Joseph and Georgina.

The DaPonte family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Fee’s caregivers for their compassion and dedication, especially Dr. Paul Agatiello, whose kindness and expertise brought comfort and peace during his final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday November 6 at 10am, St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol, Rhode Island. Burial will be private. Calling hours are respectfully omitted.

The family requests that you kindly omit flowers. In lieu, we would greatly appreciate donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

View Seraphin "Fee" DaPonte's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/21/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

"When one person is missing the whole world seems empty."

- Pat Schweibert, Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss

We never think about how our life is a careful balance. Everyone with whom we interact regularly plays a part in creating our world, a web of people who make us feel comfortable, safe, and loved. When we lose an integral part of that web, we feel lost. The balance is upset, and we feel like we will topple over from the grief and the uncertainty of this terrible change. You may feel like things are "out of whack" for a long time. That is normal. Over the next months and years, you will be able to methodically reset the balance, so that you return to a feeling of normalcy. Know that you are resilient and that you can make it through this unbalanced period of your life.

10/20/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.

- Swedish Proverb

Many times when people grieve, their first instinct is to isolate themselves from others. You may need to cry, or to just sit in silent reflection as you continue to try to process what has happened. However, in conjunction with your personal grieving, it is often beneficial to take the time to talk about your sadness with people you trust. Having a friend, support group, or counselor can make a tremendous difference as you try to re-assimilate to the life you led before this tragedy. Being able to talk and to listen to the advice and stories of others helps you to reconnect. Isolating yourself is easy, but it shows great courage and fortitude to share these vulnerabilities with others. Take a chance and talk about what you are going through...you'll be glad you did.

10/19/2025

Happy 250th Anniversary

10/19/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.

~ Anonymous

People talk about the importance of memories when you have had a loss. It is true that they are often referred to as treasured, and that is an accurate description. Yet, our memories can also evoke the most pain when the loss is still fresh in our minds. Trying to find the balance between the happiness and sadness of our memories is one of the hardest parts of grieving as time passes. You want to look at photographs, watch home videos, or read letters to keep your connection to your loved one fresh. At the same time, these items can also be difficult reminders of the acute pain you are feeling as you adjust to the loss.

The key is to find the balance that is best for you. The answer for each person is different. For some, looking at such images, crying for a few minutes, and then moving on is cathartic. For others, it is too hard to see them at this point. Follow your gut instinct when deciding whether you are ready to look at concrete images of your loved one. If you have to turn over a photograph to help heal, then that is what you should do. Continue to be patient with yourself, and do what feels right. Most importantly, know that the way you grieve should be personal, and that there is no "best" way to work through the process.

10/18/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

"Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don't notice it, but, out of the blue, it'll flare to life."

- Maria V. Snyder, Storm Glass

When grief is your every day, it's hard to imagine not having that weight on your shoulders. It's hard to fathom that there is even the possibility of a life without it. However, as it fades and your hope builds of a life free of that constant sorrow, know that there will be flare-ups. There will be a little reminder that brings it all flooding back.

The good news is that the reminders are not permanent. They will startle you, but then fade away. These bonds do not break, but the level of intensity softens over time, allowing you to slowly move forward.

10/17/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

"Youth offers the promise of happiness, but life offers the realities of grief."

- Nicholas Sparks, The Rescue

No matter your age or your background, the process of grief is the last step in truly growing up. Your life before loss was one of a kind of childlike innocence compared to the life you have now.

However, it is not without hope or value. The love and understanding you can bring to others has a depth and intensity unlike any other. Your appreciation for life and its joys makes you a richer, stronger person.

This does not happen overnight. This depth of character builds in conjunction with your grief process. It is the phoenix rising from the pain of loss. Use this gift to enhance the lives of those around you.

10/16/2025

10/16/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

"They say time heals all wounds, but that presumes the source of the grief is finite"

- Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Prince

There is something so special about learning something new about the person you have lost. Hearing a new story or finding a letter you forgot about is an unexpected joy. While these moments are undeniably special, they can also rekindle the sadness of your loss. Try to treasure these artifacts as gifts, rather than focus on the feeling of emptiness they may evoke. Your loved one will always be with you, and these new connections only strengthen the bond you will always have.

10/15/2025

Sansone Funeral Home Daily Grief Support Email

"So it's true, when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love."

- E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Take a minute today to remember three times when your loved one made you laugh and smile. Relive those beautiful memories in your head. Those sweet moments are why you feel such sadness. Know that they were worth it.