Paul F. Blais, Sr.

Paul F. Blais, Sr., 92, of West Warwick, passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon, January 2, 2023 at Kent Hospital surrounded by his loving family. 

He was the beloved husband of Irene E. (Bergeron) Blais, married for 69 years.  Born in Warwick on March 26, 1930, he was the son of the late Amie Blais and Emma (Gilbert) Blais.  He was the brother of the late Francis Blais, Amos Blais and Eva (Blais) Sincerny.  He was a resident of West Warwick for most of his life.

Paul was a graduate of LaSalle Academy and later worked as a carpenter for the Reginald Centracchio construction company.  He served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Pole Line Foreman, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal and the United Nations Medal.  Following the war, he was a West Warwick Volunteer Firefighter, Station 3 in Natick. He then started Blais Construction, building homes and continuing his love for carpentry.  He concluded his career as the Assistant Deputy Director of the Department of Corrections in Cranston, RI.

In his spare time, he enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, playing golf, and creating custom furnishings in his woodshop.  He was a member of Club Frontenac and the VFW Post #449 in West Warwick.  Paul took great pride in his family and cherished the many memories shared.  

Besides his wife, he is survived by his eight children, Paul F. Blais, Jr. and his wife Claudette of West Warwick; Susan Blais of West Warwick; Carol Turilli and her husband Dr. Nicholas Turilli of East Greenwich; Peter Blais of Cranston; Nancy Blais of West Warwick; Jeanne Fontanez and her husband Miguel of Port St. Lucie, Florida; John Blais of Coventry; Michael Blais and his wife Kristen of Ipswich, MA; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.  We are better people for knowing Paul and he will be dearly missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, January 9, 2023 from 8:00-10:30 a.m. in the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 62 Pleasant Street, West Warwick.  Interment with military honors will be in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.  Information and condolences, please visit: www.PrataGallogly.com

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