(02/06/15) Cumberland – John F. Grimes, Jr., 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2015. He was the beloved husband of the late Ellen T. (Nairtney) Grimes. Born in Central Falls, he was a son of the late John F., Sr. and Florence (Fanning) Grimes. John was a US Army veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of Providence College and completed his Master of Education degree at Rhode Island College. John continued his advanced graduate studies in Educational Administration at the University of Connecticut. He was the Founder, Charter Member, Chairman of the Board and first President of the East Providence Teachers Credit Union from 1961-1971. John received his Life Professional Teacher’s Certificate; Life Professional Principal’s Certificate and Life Professional Driver Education Certificate from the RI State Dept. of Education. He went on to social work for the State of RI and was first a classroom teacher in North Dakota. John then moved back to RI where he taught for many years in the East Providence School Department. He later served as principal of Silver Spring Elementary School, EP. John was also a driver’s education teacher for many years. He loved animals and enjoyed following baseball and listening to jazz music. He was “wicked funny” and had a great sense of humor. John was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all whose lives he touched through his teaching and mentoring over many decades. He leaves a son, John F. Grimes, III and his wife, Curdell of North Providence; three daughters, Mary Ellen Grimes of Whitinsville, MA, Ann-Marie Grenier and her husband, Randy of Windham, ME and Marianne Grimes of Cumberland; two sisters, Mary Sienko and Patricia Atamian both of Pawtucket; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Walter A., Maureen E., James M. and Paul Grimes. VISITATION will begin on Thursday, February 6, 2015 at 10 a.m. followed by Services at 11 a.m. at the CHEETHAM Funeral Home, 1012 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. Interment with Military Honors will follow at RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to either Mt. St. Rita Health Centre (South Unit), 15 Sumner Brown Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman Ave., Providence, RI 02906 will be appreciated. CheethamFuneralHome.com
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