Earl R. Pasetti, 94,a proud member of The Greatest Generation and loving son, husband, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on April 24, 2018, just weeks before his 95th birthday. A lifelong resident of Westerly, Rhode Island, Earl was affectionately known to his family as “Bud” and “Uncle Bud,” because he was a most caring and kind brother to Edna, his “Sis”. Mr. Pasetti is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Joshua and Ellen Lind Pasetti and his spouse of 60 years, Catherine Wills Pasetti.
He is survived by his sister, Edna Pasetti Pignataro, of Huntsville Alabama and his niece and nephews, Janet Pignataro and R.K. Hansen of Houston, Texas; Dr. James and Grace Maria Pignataro of Huntsville, Alabama, and SMSGT (USAF Ret. ) Daniel and Patricia Pignataro of DeLand, Florida. Mr. Pasetti proudly entered the service of the United States Army in February of 1943 after a farewell breakfast at The Elks Hall on Dixon Street in Westerly.
On June 6, 1944, Earl participated with Allied troops in the D-Day invasion on Utah Beach. As a member of the 90th Division of General George Pattons’ 3rd Army, Earl was stationed in France and Germany and supported the Battle of the Bulge and was part of the push into Germany. Following his Honorable Discharge as a Corporal in 1946, Earl returned home to Westerly in 1946.
He promptly joined The Westerly Fire Department where his Uncle Columbus Pasetti was Chief for 33 years and like his father, Joe Pasetti, Earl was a member all of his life. Earl’s memory of World War II and his respect for the United States Army remained throughout his life as he and Catherine would travel to many reunions with fellow-veterans and attended the 50-year anniversary in Normandy and Paris, France in 1944. After his Honorable Discharge, Earl first worked with his Dad, Joe Pasetti, as a carpenter building houses and was later employed as a carpenter and wood craftsman by the Naval Underwater Systems Center, New London Laboratory.
He was know to all of his co-workers as a superior carpenter who demanded and achieved perfection in all of his work. Following his retirement, Earl and Catherine were wonderful companions to their many friends and family members and took care of many of them in their later years. They enjoyed traveling to see family and friends from New York to Kansas, Alabama, Texas and beyond and were lifelong members of St. Pius X Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Church, 44 Elm Street, Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home. There are no calling hours.
Burial with full military honors will take place at River Bend Cemetery, Westerly. Funeral services are under the direction of Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Crematory, 64 Friendship Street, Westerly. For online condolences, please visit www.
rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com The family wishes to thank his caregivers at The Carriage House at The Elms in Westerly for making Uncle Bud feel comfortable and loved. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Westerly Fire Department.
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