Quinn Funeral Home

Quinn Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1857. Traditional Funerals to Simple Cremation Services, Pre-Arrangements Mr. John the Baptist Church. When Mr.

The date of June 3, 1892 was an important one in the long and illustrious history of the Robert & Son Funeral Home, later to become the Potvin & Son Funeral Home. For it was on that date, that the first funeral service was held from the funeral home. Thomas Robert was a very active member in the Pawtuxet Valley area. Not only was he the local undertaker but since he operated an ambulance and livery service in town, he held the position of honorary fire chief in West Warwick. He originally worked out of a store front next to the former Alice building which was on the corner of Quidnick Street and Brookside Avenue. As his business grew, he sought the assistance of his son, George Robert and also Romuald Potvin and moved to a larger home further down of Washington Street, where the present West Warwick senior citizen center is now located. Potvin, after returning from service in World War I, had taken the position of chauffeur for Mr. Pierre Bedard, a very prosperous merchant whose home was across the street from St. Bedard decided to return to his homeland of Canada, Romuald who had a very congenial manner decided that funeral service was well suited for him. He embarked upon a home study course from the Cincinnati College of Embalming and received his certificate in August of 1925. He continued to work for Thomas Robert until Mr. Robert died on April 7, 1945 at the age of 89 and his son, George took over the business. In 1954, George wanted to retire and asked Romuald if he would be interested in taking it over. Romuald was at that time 65 and his wife thought he was too old to take on such an endevour but he decided to do it. He asked his son, Conrad to go into business with him and so Conrad went to embalming school later that year and they started the Robert-Potvin Funeral Home. In 1962, as the business continued to flourish, the building on Washington Street was getting too small and there was just no adequate parking so the Potvins acquired property on Curson Street which at one time was the site of the original Coutu Lumber company and had Clarence and Norbert Coutu design and build a new and modern funeral home on that site. On New Year’s eve 1963, they moved into the new home. On March 19, 1977, Romuald Potvin passed away at the age of 89. The following year, Conrad’s son, Paul, graduated from New England Institute of Funeral Service and became the third generation of the Potvin family working at the funeral home. On July 20, 1992, Conrad died at the age of 70 and Paul continued to operate the home. In January of 2013, the funeral home celebrated fifty years of fine tradition at its Curson Street location. On December 2013, the Quinn family announced a new era as the business became the Potvin-Quinn Funeral Home. Together, Michael, Patrick, and Jerome Quinn along with Paul Potvin promise an outstanding level of funeral service and commitment to all the families of the Kent County area for many more years to come.

Kathleen M. Gemma, 57, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2025 with her loving family by her side. Born ...
09/18/2025

Kathleen M. Gemma, 57, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2025 with her loving family by her side. Born to Barbara A. (Gallogly) McDonagh and Ralph Gemma (wife, Cyndy), Kathy was a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and the devoted mother to her late son Anthony A. Gemma. She is survived by her loving sister Karin A. Huhn and her husband Kurt, her nieces Jordan and Kenzie Huhn, her beloved step-father John “Irish” McDonagh, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Born in Providence, Kathy built a meaningful career as a surgical technician, working in hospitals throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Colorado. While pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Rhode Island, she was especially proud to serve as Director of the Surgical Technology Program at the Community College of Rhode Island and held the same position previously at Quinsigamond Community College where she guided and inspired future professionals in the field.

Kathy had a deep love for travel, with some of her fondest memories made alongside her son Anthony during their trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. She also had a deep affinity for, and took many trips to the United Kingdom, particularly Wi******er and London. Always full of energy and creativity, she also found joy in music, working as a DJ at clubs across southern New England—often with her sister Karin by her side.

Above all else, Kathy cherished her family, who will forever hold her close in their hearts and miss her dearly. Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all of her caretakers from the Rhode Island VNA Care of New England Hospice team for the exceptional care and kindness they provided to her and to the family.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Her funeral service will begin at 5:00pm. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy’s memory may be made to either MAAD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), 511 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, TX 75062; or to the Rhode Island VNA Care of New England Hospice team, 171 Service Avenue, Suite 310, Warwick, RI 02886.

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Judith A. (Mulligan) DelSesto, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with her devoted husband by he...
09/18/2025

Judith A. (Mulligan) DelSesto, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with her devoted husband by her side. She was the beloved wife of Richard A. DelSesto, with whom she shared 54 wonderful years of marriage. Born to the late Donald and Estelle (Tramonti) Mulligan, Judith was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. She is survived by her loving children, Cara Kaczmarczyk and her husband Michael, and Lisa Vargas and her husband Dan. She also leaves her brother, Donald Mulligan Jr. and his wife Margaret “Peggy”, her sister, Janice Fortes and her husband Gerald, along with many dear nieces, nephews, and friends who will remember her with love.

Born in Providence, Judy and her husband made their home in Johnston, where they lovingly raised their family. For more than 30 years, she dedicated herself to a career in social work, touching countless lives across Rhode Island with her compassion and care. Judy’s radiant smile could brighten any room, and she will be deeply missed by her many friends at Briarcliff Assisted Living Center. Above all, family was at the heart of Judy’s life. She adored her beloved dogs—Ginger, Jessie, and Peanut—and embraced her daughters’ dogs, Mintz, Oliver, and Buddy, as part of the family. Nothing brought her greater joy than gathering everyone together and cooking for the people she loved most. Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all of her caretakers for the exceptional care and kindness they provided to her and to the family over the past several years.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Her funeral service will begin at 4:00pm. Her burial will be private in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

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Mark S. Brown, age 64, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband...
09/17/2025

Mark S. Brown, age 64, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Martha E. (Siravo) Brown to whom he shared 35 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2022. Born in Providence, he was a son of Eugene R. Brown and the late Corinne R. (Bookbinder) Soares.

He was an entertainer and loved nothing more than gathering family and friends together to celebrate, which served him well as the longtime owner of Cozy Catering of North Providence. A self-proclaimed, ‘Sun Worshipper’, he enjoyed relaxing by his backyard pool on a sunny summer day with a bottle of baby oil in hand. He loved shopping and clothes and Christmas where he and Martha could showcase their extensive Spode collection. Above all, Mark was a generous soul, who wanted to help anyone in need and often did whether it be financially or listening with an open ear. His larger than life personality is going to be missed tremendously by all those who knew and loved him.

Mark was the oldest brother of Todd Brown (wife, Lisa) and Jason Soares (wife, Ashley) and the cherished ‘Grampa’ of Colin and Kiera Cogger. He also leaves behind his nephew Tyler and niece Alyssa.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4-6:30pm with a Eulogy and Words of Remembrance at 6:30 in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 10am for a procession to Pawtuxet Memorial Park where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Martha.

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Julia M. (MacIntosh) Howarth, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. She was the devoted wife of t...
09/17/2025

Julia M. (MacIntosh) Howarth, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. She was the devoted wife of the late Donald Howarth, with whom she shared 42 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Westville, Nova Scotia, Canada, Julia was the beloved daughter of the late Angus and Mary MacIntosh. She is survived by her loving daughters, Gail Howarth Farrell (Terrance), Nancy J. Turenne (Normand) and Linda A. Kane; as well as her treasured grandchildren, Casey R. Farrell, Kyle E. Farrell, and Sean H. Farrell. She was predeceased by her siblings Charlie, Bill, Jack, and Allie MacIntosh, as well as Bertha MacIntosh and Dot McCauley.

From an early age, Julia was a gifted athlete, often found in the middle of a ball game with her brothers or skating on the pond for a hockey match. She was also an accomplished speed skater, having won numerous awards for her talent. One summer, when neighbors welcomed visiting family from the United States, Julia met Donald Howarth—an introduction that would change her life. After proudly serving as an acting Corporal in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Julia later immigrated to the U.S. to marry Don. Together, they built a beautiful life, raised three daughters, and called Warwick their home for more than 60 years.

After raising her children, Julia became a Licensed Practical Nurse, a career she was dedicated to for over 15 years. Her passion for helping others extended to her community, where she was active in the Conimicut Village Association, the William Shields American Legion Post #43 Women's Auxiliary, and Operation Clean Government. She was also adored by the staff and residents at Halcyon West Bay for her quick wit and caring personality.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:00am in Woodbury Union Church, 58 Beach Ave, Warwick, RI. Following the service, she will be laid to rest beside her husband in a private burial at Pawtuxet Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Julia’s memory may be made to Woodbury Union Church, 58 Beach Ave, Warwick, RI 02889.

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Kenneth J. Lashus, 61, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Som...
09/13/2025

Kenneth J. Lashus, 61, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Somerville, MA, he was the beloved son of the late David R. Lashus Sr. and Paula L. (Williams) Lashus.

Kenneth was the father to Elizabeth Wheeler and a proud grandfather to Elizabeths and Logans’ five children, Melanie, Tristan, Jasper, Lawson, and Evangeline. He is also survived by his cherished siblings, David Lashus and his wife Laurie, Christine Sammartino, Chatherine Lashus, and Kimberly Hallquist, along with many adoring nieces and nephews.

A skilled carpenter by trade, Kenneth also had a passion for cooking and was happiest when preparing meals for his family and friends. Over the years, he worked in many well-known Rhode Island kitchens, including Basta, Capriccio’s, Twin Oaks, and the Blue Grotto. Beyond his work, he enjoyed making homemade wine with his lifelong friend Michael, a pastime that brought him great joy.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 6:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. A memorial service will be held at 7:00pm.

View Kenneth J. Lashus's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/08/2025

View Edmund B. Sarno's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/04/2025

View Ruth Charlotte Lundin's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

09/04/2025

View Andrew W. Santilli's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Last week, we were deeply honored and humbled to receive the award for Best Funeral Home at the Rhode Island Community’s...
08/28/2025

Last week, we were deeply honored and humbled to receive the award for Best Funeral Home at the Rhode Island Community’s Choice Awards.

While winning this award was an honor, it’s knowing that we’ve been able to assist and provide meaningful support to the families in our community which means the world to us. We do our best to treat every family as our own. First and foremost, that means providing honest guidance and dignified care. That commitment has never wavered, and it never will. Thank you so much for all those who voted. Your trust in us means everything, and we are deeply grateful for your support!

We’re also thrilled to share a glimpse of our newly renovated facilities. We take great pride in providing a space designed to provide comfort and peace during life’s most challenging moments.
https://www.thequinnfuneralhome.com/facilities/our-facilities

08/27/2025

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2435 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI
02889

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