Michael D. Lanni Sr.

Michael D. Lanni Sr., 90, passed away June 24, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Stacia (Strzesak) Lanni; son of the late Joseph and Madeline (Arciero) Lanni; father of Michael Lanni Jr, David Lanni and his wife Christine, Cheryl Bianco and her husband Donald, Leslie Ann Lanni and Catherine Lanni; grandfather of Nicholas Bianco, Marissa Bianco, David Lanni Jr., and Mark Lanni; great-grandfather of Domenic and Santino Bianco. He was the brother of the late Louis, Joseph, Anthony, John and Edward Lanni and Mary Bart.

A lifelong resident of North Providence, Michael was a Corporal in the U.S. Army during WWII and fought with the 69th Infantry Division, better known as “the Fighting 69th”. His unit fought mainly in Belgium and Germany, first holding key defensive positions along the Siegfried Line and later capturing many towns and cities in Germany against sharp opposition.

As the war ended, Michael finished his military career serving in the Military Police and then in the Army Signal Corps, restoring communication lines throughout Germany.

Upon returning to the states, Michael trained as an apprentice and eventually became a journeyman electrician, working for I.B.E.W. local 99. He was also elected to serve as vice president of local 99 for a period in the 1980's. He later became Principle Electrical Inspector for the R.I. State Building Commission. He also worked part time as the Electrical Inspector for the Town of North Providence from 1965 to 2012, retiring at age 86.

Michael also was an active member of the Marieville Volunteer Fire department from 1942 to 1979, serving as Chief from 1955-1967. He became a life member in 1968. In 2014 he served as a committee member to restore the North Providence Volunteer Fire Departments monument and rededicate it for its 50th anniversary.

In 2014, Michael was chosen to serve as Grand Marshal of the North Providence Memorial Day Parade by a committee of town members who cited his military service as well as his service to the town as having great influence on the selection process.

Above all, he will best be remembered as a devout family man. Spending time with friends and family was always his greatest pastime.

Visitation will be held Tuesday 4-7 p.m. with his funeral on Wednesday at 8 a.m. from PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1081 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.