Frank & Bonnie Palana

Frank J. Palana, 95, and Bonnie (Gagnon) Palana, 87, of Lowell Ave both passed on August 5th within hours of each other, surrounded by their loving family. Married for over 63 wonderful years, they were the proud parents of daughter Megan, twin sons Eric and Garth, daughter Stephanie Sigillo and husband John, and son Brandon and wife Lauren. They had 7 grandchildren – Teresa Palana, Spencer Giammarco, Victoria Sigillo, Alexander Palana, Sarah-Joy (Giammarco) Liotta, Mackenzie Palana and Nicholas Palana. They also had great grandchildren.

He was last surviving child of Giovanni Palana and Maria (Donato) Palana. He was preceded in death by his brothers Anthony Palana, Joseph Palana, twin brother John Palana and his sister Josephine Morley.

He was a graduate of Pawtucket West High School and lettered in Baseball and Football. He was an Army Veteran (Cpl) serving during the Korean War (AKA “The bookkeeper”) and a longtime employee of Ann & Hope, Warwick. He enjoyed being the neighborhood barber. After retiring, he along with his twin brother John and lifelong friend Tiny restarted the family painting business dba Three Guys Painting. He was an avid sports fan. You could always find him outside painting, doing yardwork or soaking up the sun.

She was the daughter of the late Albert Gagnon and Alice (Tessier) Gagnon. She is survived by her sister Claire Johnson and brother Albert Gagnon. She was preceded in death by sister Lucille Fernandes.

She was a graduate of St Anne’s School of Nursing in Fall River and was a longtime Registered Nurse. She began her working career at New York Presbyterian Hospital following with work at Roger Williams General Hospital, Briarcliff Nursing home, and Lakeside Home of Children’s Friend and Service in Warwick. She had a laugh that was contagious and enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed arts and crafts especially drawing and painting as you could see displayed in their home. She loved reading and always treasured cooking for her family. She was a Discalced Carmelite of the Secular Order and a Eucharistic minister.

Special thanks to the Providence VA and dad’s care team. And extra special thanks to the in-home care team Maria and Joan from Hope Nursing Home Care and Lindsay from Visiting Nursing Home & Hospice who treated them like family.

Their calling hours will be held Monday August 12, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Romano Funeral Home, Union Ave, Providence and Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, 645 Hartford Ave, Providence. Private Burial will be in Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in their names to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/ri or the Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/rhode-island.html