James A. Wilkinson

He was the devoted husband of Esther (Joseph) Wilkinson to whom he was married to over 40 years. He was a life-long resident of Providence. He was the son of the late James H. and Mary E. (O’Brien) Wilkinson.

He leaves his son, Ronald J. Wilkinson (PFD) and his wife, Ghislaine of North Providence, and daughter, Brenda A. Almonte of Providence; brother of John J. Wilkinson and his wife Brenda of Providence; 3 grandchildren, Kevin and Kristen Wilkinson and Angelo Almonte, IV.

He was a patrolman for the Providence Police Department for over 30 years, retiring in 1990. In his earlier years, he was a machinist at the former American Emery Wheel Works in Providence, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. For several years following the loss of his father, he worked both full-time and part-time to support his mother, brother and his grandmother who lived with them.

A devoted son who could have been exempt from military service, he never-the-less volunteered for the U.S. Army and served honorably at U.S. installations and as a radio operator at Kelflavik Air Force Base in Iceland.

Visitation will be held Friday, 5-8 p.m. with a funeral on Saturday at 9 a.m. from the PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Edward Church, 997 Branch Avenue, Providence, followed by interment with Military Honors in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, 997 Branch Avenue, Providence, RI 02904. Visit our website, www.pontarellimarinofunerals.com