Everett J. Ignagni passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 23, 2010 in Naples, Florida.He was the loving husband of Mary Tierney Ignagni who passed away in 1996. He was born in Providence on February 28, l928 to Vincenzina and Pasquale Ignagni.
Mr. Ignagne was a 25-year veteran of the Providence Fire Department, led the investigative unit of the State Fire Marshal’s office for 10 years and served as the Fire Marshal for eight years. As Fire Marshal, he was a member of the committee that developed the 911 alert system and was instrumental in carrying out the tests that led the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine that imported Cabbage Patch dolls were flammable. For a number of years he served as an instructor at the National Fire Academy.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 and participated in Admiral Byrd’s second trip to the South Pole. He was a past commander of the North Providence chapter of the VFW and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1984, the Governor of Kentucky commissioned him as an official Kentucky Colonel. In 2003 he relocated to Naples, Florida where he had a distinguished record of volunteer work. He was a tutor at Pine Crest Elementary School, a member of the Lely High School’s School Advisory Council and named “outstanding senior volunteer of the year” in 2008. He was an active participant in the Mended Hearts Program and regularly performed as a singer in the St. Williams’ Church annual dinner productions. He was also a lifetime Red Sox fan.
He is survived by his children, Robert (and spouse Jennifer Dolan) of South Windsor, Connecticut and Karen (and spouse Lawrence Bartlett) of Washington, D.C; his grandson, Clay Bartlett of New York City and his companion, Mary Fehr, of Naples, Florida.
His funeral will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 8 a.m. from the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Anthony Church, Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Calling hours will be held Friday September 24, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to continue Everett’s work to: Pine Crest Elementary School Fund, c/o Singles Together, 479 Crossfield Circle, Naples, Florida 34104.