Obituary for James Wayne Papagolos
James Wayne Papagolos, Sr., “Jim”, 77, passed away on November 9, 2023, at Largo Medical Center in Largo, FL. Jim was born in Vallejo, California on February 16, 1946. He spent much of his life in RI and CT before retiring to FL with his wife, Cheryl George, in 1996. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in December 1963, when he was just 17 years old. He was a Corporal and Combat Engineer, who honorably served his country in Vietnam for two (2) tours of duty, totaling almost 3 years in country. In February 1968, he left Vietnam for the last time and returned to his childhood home in Pawtucket, RI. He traveled a lot during the summer of 1968. Jim is preceded in death by his mother, Alice M. Papagolos (Bento), his father, Costas Rigas Papagolos, his sister, Palmira “Tardie” Plante (Papagolos), and his brother John Papagolos. He leaves his sister Catherine C. Salerno (Papagolos) and her husband Robert of Lincoln, RI, his brother Rigas Costas Papagolos “Rik”, and his wife Maureen A. Papagolos (Sulyma) of Pawtucket, RI, and his brother Manuel “Manny” and his wife Wendy Papagolos (Lees) of NH. He leaves his wife Cheryl George, his stepdaughter Tonya George, her son Trent George and his stepson Edward “Eddy” George and his three children, Tyler, Cameron and Jasmine George, all of RI. He leaves his eldest daughter, Sondra Welsh (Mowry) and her husband Donovan and their children MacKenzie and Kainalu Welsh of Richvale, CA. He leaves his former wife, Lenore Papagolos (Handy), of Houston TX and their daughter,
Stacy Papagolos Mooney and her husband Thomas Mooney of Houston, TX, her children, Grant Johnson of Oakland, CA, and Christopher Johnson of Los Angeles, CA. He leaves. their son James W. Papagolos, Jr. “Jim or Jimmy” of Pawtucket, RI, and his partner Elaine Anastasia of Attleboro, MA. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends.
Jim will be remembered as a man who didn’t judge people. He was a friend to all, rich or poor. He was generous and helpful whenever he could be. Most recently, he volunteered his time at a local food bank in the Largo area. He saw value in everyone. Never at a loss for words, he was a colorful storyteller and a joke teller. He enjoyed collecting all types of things. In addition to his family, Jim loved cars and comedy and could talk about politics into the night. Our world will be less without him.
The service is on Saturday, March 9th, at 10:30am at Rhode Island Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 301 S County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822, where he will be interred. Services provided by Berarducci Funeral Home, Providence.
A gift in his name, to the charity of your choice, would be a fitting tribute.
Stacy Papagolos Mooney and her husband Thomas Mooney of Houston, TX, her children, Grant Johnson of Oakland, CA, and Christopher Johnson of Los Angeles, CA. He leaves. their son James W. Papagolos, Jr. “Jim or Jimmy” of Pawtucket, RI, and his partner Elaine Anastasia of Attleboro, MA. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends.
Jim will be remembered as a man who didn’t judge people. He was a friend to all, rich or poor. He was generous and helpful whenever he could be. Most recently, he volunteered his time at a local food bank in the Largo area. He saw value in everyone. Never at a loss for words, he was a colorful storyteller and a joke teller. He enjoyed collecting all types of things. In addition to his family, Jim loved cars and comedy and could talk about politics into the night. Our world will be less without him.
The service is on Saturday, March 9th, at 10:30am at Rhode Island Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 301 S County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822, where he will be interred. Services provided by Berarducci Funeral Home, Providence.
A gift in his name, to the charity of your choice, would be a fitting tribute.