Obituary for Sylvester Cofoni
Westerly – Sylvester “Syl” J. Cofoni Sr., 101, passed away peacefully on October 11th 2022 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island at Brookdale South Bay Health Center.
He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island and was raised on Oak St by his father Carmine Pietrangelo Cofone and his mother Rosa Cofone. Syl was predeceased by his parents and his seven siblings, Joseph, James, Pat, Steve, Mike, Anna, and Albert.
He was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 47 years Sarah E. Castagna Cofoni, and his daughter Sarah Rose Cofoni Clark. Syl is survived by his son-in-law Joseph F. Clark husband of Sarah Rose of Narragansett, Rhode Island, his son Sylvester J. Cofoni Jr and his wife Diane Morrone Cofoni of Succasunna, New Jersey, his son Paul and his wife Karen Tapley Cofoni of Westerly, and his daughter Mary Cofoni Cole and her husband Jeffrey Cole of South Kingstown. Syl will be remembered lovingly by his 10 grandchildren: Amy Healey, Beth D’Alleva, Ellen Clark, Tiena Cofoni, Megan Irizarry, Sylvester J Cofoni III, Marika Heughins, Christopher Cofoni, Jackie Lapre, Amanda Cole, and and 20 beautiful great-grandchildren: Timothy Healey, Matthew Healey, Caroline Healey, Andrew D’Alleva, Ryan D’Alleva, Daniel D’Alleva, Adelaide Kelsey, Parker Kelsey, Tia Mitchell, Maxwell Cofoni, Lily Cofoni, Madison Heughins, Gabrielle Heughins, Sydney Heughins, Nico Cofoni, Leo Cofoni, Sofia Cofoni, Ava Lapre, Sylvester J. Cofoni IV and William Cofoni. Syl is also survived by 21 wonderful Cofone and Castagna nieces and nephews.
Syl was also known by his nickname Sammy Bough (the famous NFL throwing quarterback of the 1940’s) because of his passing prowess as a quarterback for Westerly High School. Several years after graduation from high school he entered the service after the outbreak of World War II and served four years as an aircraft electrician and instructor. During his service years he attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied
Chemical Engineering for 18 months. After the war he settled back in Westerly on the Shore Road where he and his wife Sarah raised their family. For Syl, family was everything, and he devoted himself to his family selflessly. Syl retired from the US Postal Service after more than 35 years. He was a communicant of Saint Clare Church, and a proud member of the Postal Carrier Association.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Brookdale South Bay for the loving care they provided to Syl during his years there, and to the staff of Hope Hospice who provided comfort to him in his final days.
Visiting hours are from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday October 16th at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday October 17th at 10:00 AM at St. Clare Church, 4 St. Clare Way, Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery in Westerly. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Johnny Cake Center, two of Syl’s favorite charities. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island and was raised on Oak St by his father Carmine Pietrangelo Cofone and his mother Rosa Cofone. Syl was predeceased by his parents and his seven siblings, Joseph, James, Pat, Steve, Mike, Anna, and Albert.
He was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 47 years Sarah E. Castagna Cofoni, and his daughter Sarah Rose Cofoni Clark. Syl is survived by his son-in-law Joseph F. Clark husband of Sarah Rose of Narragansett, Rhode Island, his son Sylvester J. Cofoni Jr and his wife Diane Morrone Cofoni of Succasunna, New Jersey, his son Paul and his wife Karen Tapley Cofoni of Westerly, and his daughter Mary Cofoni Cole and her husband Jeffrey Cole of South Kingstown. Syl will be remembered lovingly by his 10 grandchildren: Amy Healey, Beth D’Alleva, Ellen Clark, Tiena Cofoni, Megan Irizarry, Sylvester J Cofoni III, Marika Heughins, Christopher Cofoni, Jackie Lapre, Amanda Cole, and and 20 beautiful great-grandchildren: Timothy Healey, Matthew Healey, Caroline Healey, Andrew D’Alleva, Ryan D’Alleva, Daniel D’Alleva, Adelaide Kelsey, Parker Kelsey, Tia Mitchell, Maxwell Cofoni, Lily Cofoni, Madison Heughins, Gabrielle Heughins, Sydney Heughins, Nico Cofoni, Leo Cofoni, Sofia Cofoni, Ava Lapre, Sylvester J. Cofoni IV and William Cofoni. Syl is also survived by 21 wonderful Cofone and Castagna nieces and nephews.
Syl was also known by his nickname Sammy Bough (the famous NFL throwing quarterback of the 1940’s) because of his passing prowess as a quarterback for Westerly High School. Several years after graduation from high school he entered the service after the outbreak of World War II and served four years as an aircraft electrician and instructor. During his service years he attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied
Chemical Engineering for 18 months. After the war he settled back in Westerly on the Shore Road where he and his wife Sarah raised their family. For Syl, family was everything, and he devoted himself to his family selflessly. Syl retired from the US Postal Service after more than 35 years. He was a communicant of Saint Clare Church, and a proud member of the Postal Carrier Association.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Brookdale South Bay for the loving care they provided to Syl during his years there, and to the staff of Hope Hospice who provided comfort to him in his final days.
Visiting hours are from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday October 16th at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday October 17th at 10:00 AM at St. Clare Church, 4 St. Clare Way, Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery in Westerly. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Johnny Cake Center, two of Syl’s favorite charities. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com