3-Time Seekonk Speedway Champion George Smaldone Passes at 86
SMALDONE, GEORGE A. 86, of Warwick passed away Friday at home. He was the beloved husband of Claire L. (Young) Smaldone. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late John and Rose (Lorenzo) Smaldone.
Mr. Smaldone was an Automotive Service Manager for Elmwood Dodge for 20 years until his retirement. He served in The United States Coast Guard during WW II and was a communicant of St. Timothy Church.
He was the loving father of Nancy E. Dandurand of Cumberland, Claire R. Gruneberg and her husband Raymond of Warwick, Stephen J. Petit and his wife Robin of Warwick, Christopher J. Petit and his wife Lauren of Bellevue, NE, Daniel J. Petit of Austin, TX and Theodore E. Petit and his wife Diane of Bellingham, MA. Devoted brother of Ann Montanaro of North Providence. Caring brother in law of Fr. Peter G. Young of Warwick. Cherished grandfather of ten and great grandfather of three.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 am in St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in St. Ann Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Tuesday 5-8 pm in THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95). In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 No. Main St., Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org
Published in The Providence Journal on October 29, 2012.
Smaldone was the first driver to win Seekonk Speedway's track championship 3 years in a row, 1953-1955.