Ret. Stanley Edward Lt. Col. Villanis

Retired Lt. Col. Stanley Edward Villanis of Wakefield, RI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2020 surrounded by his family. Born on February 15, 1935 in Cranston, RI to Stanley O. and Alice E. (Higgins) Villanis, younger brother to the late Alice E. Caruolo. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma L. (Pastore), children, Cathryn Morgan (Ed), Jacqueline Duke (Cullen), Christine (Loriann) and John (Kerry); grandchildren Andrea, Lindsey, Alexander, and Alison; and great grandchildren, Alana, Nicolas, Devin, Julian, Luciano, Rosalyn, and Nicholas. Stan graduated from Cranston High School (53), Boston University (57) with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, and San Diego State University (68) with a Masters degree of Business Administration. He started his career as an auditor in New Jersey with Bendix Aviation. Having been in ROTC at BU, Stan was called up to serve in the United States Air Force in 1958 and was quickly given orders to Iceland at Keflavik Naval Air Station. From Iceland, he was stationed at Pope AFB in North Carolina, Langley AFB in Virginia, Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey, Norton AFB in California, Bitburg and Ramstein in Germany, and back to Langley AFB in Virginia. After serving 23 years in the Air Force, Stan retired to his home state of Rhode Island and worked for the Auditor General of the State of Rhode Island for another 17 years, focusing on education. In his years of retirement Stan enjoyed golfing, his computer, fixing things around the house and home improvements, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, bird watching and supporting his favorite sports teams, the New England Patriots and New York Yankees. Stan served as President of MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) for a few years. Stan was a dedicated son and brother, a faithful husband, an involved father and a good provider for his family. Visitation will be held at Avery-Storti, 88 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI on January 14, 2020 from 5-7 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Peters by the Sea, 72 Central St, Narragansett, RI on January 16, 2020 at 11 AM. Burial will be held at the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 S. County Trail, Exeter, RI on January 16, 2020 at 1 PM. There will be a reception following the graveside service at Richards Pub, 3347 S. County Trail, East Greenwich, RI at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Judes, St. Peters by the Sea Episcopal Church, or Beacon Hospice. Visitation: Avery-Storti Funeral Home 88 Columbia Street Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879 Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Email Details