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'Eddie Zack' Zackarian, 79 ; longtime R.I. band leader
WARWICK -- Edward "Eddie Zack" Zackarian, 79, a well-known Rhode Island band leader for more than a half-century, died Wednesday at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence.
Mr. Zackarian, of Potters Avenue, and his brother, Richard, "Cousin Richie," made a name for themselves in country music, playing their guitars and fiddles in numerous East Coast venues, including such places as Jack Witschi's, North Attleboro, where they would bring in 2,000 people on weekends.
They were the first country-music group to perform in Boston's Symphony Hall; they have had a fan club since 1948.
Mr. Zackarian was the husband of Dorothy M. (Swenson) Zackarian. Born in Providence, a son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Zackarian) Zackarian, he had lived in North Kingstown before moving to Warwick in 1954.
He grew up in a large Armenian family that lived over the family's market in South Providence. He and his brother entertained themselves with homemade musical instruments, singing on street corners. They sang in school shows, and school parties -- gigs that led to live radio and public performances. In 1939, they formed Eddie Zack and the Dude Ranchers, and were later joined by their two sisters, Babs and Maril.
In 1951, Mr. Zackarian recorded 16 songs for Decca Records, and in 1953, he recorded 20 songs for Columbia records. He was inducted into the Internet's Rockabilly Hall of Fame on June 1, 1999.
Years ago, Mr. Zackarian performed on a number of national radio shows, including an NBC radio show that was heard on stations coast to coast.
But a few years ago, the Zackarian brothers called WJJF, in Hope Valley, and asked whether it had any interest in their show. The station accepted, digging up turntables to allow the brothers to play their vintage records.
Their band became known as the Hayloft Jamboree. They did over 300 TV shows in Rhode Island. The Hayloft Jamboree celebrated 60 years in country music in January 1999.
"We always work, all the time," said Richie Zackarian, in an interview with The Providence Journal in 1998. "We used to do this seven days a week."
When country music suffered a hit with the popularity of rock, the brothers sold cars, but they still performed nights and weekends.
Mr. Zackarian had been a salesman for Warwick Ford for 26 years before retiring in 1990. His brother sold cars for Cerrone Oldsmobile.
"I didn't let anything bother my music," Mr. Zackarian told the Journal in 1992. "I could always find a job that allowed me to play my music."
Mr. Zackarian was the founder of the Rhode Island Country Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Association of Rhode Island. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, and a life member of New England Country Music Historical Society.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Edward Zackarian Jr. of Ashland City, Tenn.; two daughters, Dorothy M. Savory of Coventry and Elizabeth A. Marland of South Daytona, Fla.; a brother, Richard Zackarian of Cranston; two sisters, Marilyn Albro of West Greenwich and Mercedes "Babs" White of Exeter; and 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was the father of the late Peter Zackarian.
The funeral service will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave., Route 5. Burial with military honors will be in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.
(Dated January 11, 2002)
A. ESTELLE SMILEY - Lincoln
A. ESTELLE SMILEY, 101, of Fairmount Avenue, formerly of Rehoboth, died Thursday at Rhode Island Hospital.
She was the former wife of the late Albert F. Smiley Jr. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Jethro and Ada (Swift) Baker, she had lived in Rehoboth most of her life before moving to Lincoln two years ago.
She was a member of Rehoboth Congregational Church.
She leaves two sons, Philip B. Smiley of Lincoln and Alvin Smiley of Rehoboth, and 4 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was the grandmother of the late Paul W. Smiley and Lora Sullivan, and sister of the late Lester Baker, Edith Wilmarth, Sarah Spooner, Edna Harmon and Lizzie Baker.
The funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in Bellows-Falso Funeral Chapel, 160 River Rd. Burial will be in Rehoboth Village cemetery, Rehoboth.
(Dated January 12, 2002)
AMELIA C. (ARRUDA) WRIGHT - Swansea
AMELIA C. (ARRUDA) WRIGHT, 69, of Swansea Mall Drive, a retired congressional office district manager, died Monday at St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River.
She was the wife of Charles G. Wright. Born in Somerset, she was a daughter of the late John V. and Amelia (Brandao) Arruda.
Mrs. Wright was a clerk at the Gob Shop in Somerset for many years, and later was the Congressional Office district manager for U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., for 20 years, retiring in September.
She was a parishioner of St. Thomas More Church, a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, the founder of the Somerset Babe Ruth Women's Auxiliary, a member of the Somerset Lions Club, MADD, and on the board of directors at the Crystal Springs School in Assonet.
Mrs. Wright was a member of the Greater Fall River Business and Professional Women's Club, where she served as legislative chairperson, a member of the Somerset Memorial Park Association, and the corresponding secretary for the Portuguese-American Civic League.
She was the director and vice president of the Ladies Booster Club in Somerset, a board member of Daughters of Isabella Hope House, and the Somerset Little League.
Besides her husband, she leaves three sons, Charles Wright of Whitinsville Mass., and Robert and Michael Wright, both of Somerset; two daughters, Susan Belanger-Wright and Cheryln Mendes, both of Somerset; a brother, John V. Arruda in Florida; and six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Friday at 8:45 a.m. from the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave., Somerset. Burial will be private.
(Dated January 2, 2002)
DIMITY J. MENGE - Coventry
DIMITY J. MENGE, 66, of Forestdale Drive, a retired daycare director, died yesterday at home after an illness.
She was the wife of Charles J. Menge. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Benjamin III and Agnes (McDuff) Mumford, she had lived in Coventry since 1965, previously living in Warwick.
She was the director of the Joyful Noise Daycare Inc., West Warwick, for more than 23 years, retiring last year. After retiring, she served as the president of the board of directors of the daycare.
Besides her husband, she leaves a daughter, Catherine Rapose, three sons, Charles M., Joseph B. and Bryan E. Menge, all of Coventry; three sisters, Carole Cosgrove of New York City, Beverly Sanford of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Geraldine Andreozzi of Warwick; three brothers, Benjamin Mumford of Hollywood, Fla., Roy Mumford of Cranston and William Mumford of Exeter; and three grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 9 New London Ave., West Warwick. Burial will be in St. Joseph cemetery, West Greenwich.
(Dated December 30, 2001)
RITA C. NORMAND - Attleboro
RITA C. NORMAND, 85, formerly of Rice Street, Pawtucket, a homemaker and former health aide, died Thursday in Pleasant Manor Nursing Home.
She was the wife of the late George J. Normand. Born in Pawtucket, a daughter of the late Joseph and Marie Anne (Belanger) Brindamour, she was a lifelong resident of Pawtucket.
She had been employed as a home health-care aide, and as a carder at the former Ronnie Jewelry Co.
She was a past vice president of the Christian Brothers Mother's Club.
She leaves three sons, George J. Normand Jr. of Rehoboth, Ronald A. Normand of North Attleboro and Gilbert T. Normand of Stowe, Vt.; a daughter, Suzanne D. Demers of Palmer, Mass.; and four granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Theodore and Normand Brindamour, Jeannette Vincent, Fernande McCra and Gertrude Brennan.
The funeral will be held Monday at 9 a.m. from the Darlington Mortuary of L. Heroux & Son, 1042 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Cecilia Church, Central Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will be in Notre Dame cemetery, Pawtucket.
(Dated December 22, 2001)
WILLIAM A. WHEATON JR. - Attleboro
WILLIAM A. WHEATON JR., 66, of Ambrosia Lane, Bourne, Mass., a retired customer-service representative, died Saturday at Falmouth (Mass.) Hospital after a 12-week illness.
He was the husband of Marion T. (Trima) Wheaton. They had been married
for 45 years. Born on Aug. 16, 1935, in Attleboro, a son of the late William A. Sr. and Ruth E. (Kinney) Wheaton, he had resided in Bourne for 20 years, having moved to Cape Cod from Plainville, Mass.
Mr. Wheaton was a customer representative and was employed in the production-control departments at Texas Instruments in Attleboro for 37 years, retiring in 1997.
He had a private pilot's license, enjoyed snowmobiles and was an antique-car enthusiast.
Mr. Wheaton was a veteran of the Coast Guard, serving from 1952 to 1956, and a member of VFW Post 5988, Bourne. He was a 1954 graduate of Attleboro high school.
Besides his wife, he leaves a niece, Deborah A. Long of North Attleboro; two nephews, Robert J. Wills of Worcester, Mass., and David L. Trima of North Attleboro; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was the father of the late Barbara Ann Wheaton, and stepbrother of the late Arthur V. Wheaton.
The funeral service with military honors will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Commonwealth Chapel of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Attleboro Falls. Burial will be in Stevens Corner cemetery, Rehoboth.
(Dated December 17, 2001)
