In Memoriam

Obituary for Holly Peabody
Holly E. (Segee) Peabody, 59, an extraordinarily kind and generous woman, died Nov. 6, 2015 after a short illness.

Although she started her career as a Smithfield police officer, she soon found her calling in social work. She worked for the State for 37 years, the last 17 years as a social worker in the Department of Human Services,

She was always the first to volunteer to help those in need. She founded a clothing closet for women and children and, for years, she coordinated holiday Adopt-a-Family gift-giving efforts with her co-workers and some local businesses. In recognition, she was awarded the Marguerite Beaubien Community Service award in 2005.

A longtime resident of South Kingstown, she was born Jan. 9, 1956, the daughter of the late Kenneth Segee and Mary Carr of Harmony, who survives. She and her late husband, Stephen Peabody, were parents of one child, Marlanea Peabody. She also leaves behind two beloved cats.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to send donations in Holly’s memory to Lucy’s Hearth, an emergency shelter for women and children, 913 West Main Rd., Middletown, 02842.

Prescott J. Williams, Jr., (SPD, Ret.) 86, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014. He was the beloved husband of Joan C. (Thurber) Williams. Born in Providence and a lifelong resident of Smithfield, he was a son of the late Senator Prescott J. Williams and of the late Mabel K. (Knight) Williams.

Captain Williams was educated at St. Dunstans, Bryant College and Babson College. Served in the US Maritime Service and the US Army and was stationed on Okinawa.

Captain Williams had been affiliated with many local Civic Organizations, the Greenville Volunteer Fire Department, Balfour-Cole Post #64 American Legion, Charter Member of the Board of Canvassers of the Greenville Water district, past member of the Smithfield Town Committee, past Vice President of the Smithfield Democratic Club, Smithfield Highway Association, first elected Democratic Moderator in Voting District #1, past Secretary of the Smithfield Police Association, Charter Member of the Smithfield Lodge #17, Fraternal Order of Police and the last of the Charter members to retire also held offices of Secretary-Treasurer and Vice President of the Lodge for fifteen years, member of the commissioned Police Offers Association of Rhode Island, member Temple Lodge #18 F. & A.M. and a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, a 32nd degree mason.

Appointed a Reserve Police Officer in 1954 and served in an active capacity until May 1957 at which time he was appointed as a regular member of the Smithfield Police Department. After graduating from the Municipal Police Academy in August 1957 served as a Patrolman until March 1967 when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the midnight shift as Patrol Commander. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in February 1974 and was transferred to the daytime shift as Patrol Commander. In June 1974 was promoted to the rank of Captain and served until his retirement in 1979. He later worked for 20 years as a hearing officer for the State of R.I. in financial responsibility.

Captain Williams had served in many capacities within the Smithfield Police Department, as Motor Vehicle Officer, Report Review Officer, Planning and Research Officer, Department Training Officer, Department Inspector, Director of Personnel and the Department Executive Officer.

In April 1977 while in the capacity of Planning and Research Officer did establish within the Smithfield Police Department a Traffic Division which was equipped with two traffic wagons fully equipped for any type of emergency, obtained additional Radar units for the department, Two-way radios, a Polygraph Machine which required six weeks of schooling for an officer from the department, a Closed Circuit Television System for the Police Station, Federal Funding which enabled the department to hire additional personnel to supplement the department with extra patrols daily many months of the year, of which all the mentioned items were totally Federally funded.

In his career with the Smithfield Police Department he had seen the department grow from a three room police station in the Town Hall to a modern multi-room facility which is located on Pleasant View Avenue. Captain Williams, past members of the department and present members of the department were able to have happily contributed to the excavation of the grounds where the new Smithfield Police Facility is located today. Captain Williams has also seen the department grow from a seven member, 2 car police department to the proud department is it is today.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son Prescott J. Williams, III and his wife Lynn and his daughter Deborah K. Ciotola and her husband Sam all of Smithfield. He was the loving grandfather of Prescott “PJ” Williams, IV (Patty), Jessica L. Sauvageau (Jody), Sam Ciotola (Maureen) and Julie Ciotola; great-grandfather of Prescott “Jack” Williams, V, Nicholas and Sofia Williams, AJ and Jillian Ciotola. He was the brother of Mary K. Smith and the late Andrew J. and Beatrice Williams.

Joseph F. Parenteau, 74, retired Smithfield Deputy Chief of Police, of Riverview Avenue, died Monday, January 14, 2013 at his home. He was the beloved husband of Donna (Cicerone) Parenteau.

He is also survived by: his children, Michael, David and Joseph Parenteau, Cathy Guerin, Lisa Duhaime, Cindy Carchia, Joely DeCristofaro, Nicole Bilyj; his 17 grandchildren, a great granddaughter; his siblings, Albert Parenteau of Maine, George Parenteau of Smithfield and Theresa Adams of Smithfield. He was the son of the late Octave and Ruth (Tucker) Parenteau and brother of the late Octave, Lawrence and Regina Parenteau.

Mr. Parenteau had worked at the former Roger William Grocery Company for sixteen years until 1969 when he joined the Smithfield Police Department. He served for the next 22 years, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police. He was presently an Investigator for the Disciplinary Counsel for the RI Supreme Court. In December, 1989, Governor Edward DePrete appointed Mr. Parenteau to the position of Deputy Sheriff in all five counties, a position he currently holds.

Funeral Thursday at 8:30am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Avenue, Greenville. Burial in Highland Park. Visitation Wednesday 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice.

Hopton, Michael E. (GPD, SPD, Capt. Ret.), 47, of Joe Sweet Rd., died October 12, 2009. He was the husband of Deborah M. (Paquette) Hopton. Born in Guam, Philippines, he was a son of Francis and Margaret (Ochs) Hopton of Little Compton.

Michael began his career with the Smithfield Police Department, holding several appointments, retiring as Captain and Detective Commander after 20 years of service in 2004. He was appointed as a full-time police officer in the Glocester Police Department in 2006. He was transferred as a School Resource Officer in 2008. During his career as a police officer, he received many commendations, including a life saving commendation in 2007.

He coached the Mt. St. Charles softball team, the Mt. St. Charles boys cross country team, Warwick PAL wrestling, and NRI Hockey.

Michael was a 1980 graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science from Roger Williams College, a Masters degree from Salve Regina University, and a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University. In 2001, he passed the RI Bar Exam and was admitted to the practice of law in the State of RI.

Besides his wife and parents, he leaves two children, Shawn and Ryan, a granddaughter, Lorin, a brother, Frank Hopton of Little Compton, and two sisters, Julie Kenny of North Carolina and Jeanne Hopton of Providence.

His funeral will be held Monday at 8:45 am from the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Michael Church, Smithfield. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. Calling hours Sunday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Assn., 222 Richmond St., #108, Providence, RI 02903.

WILLIAMS, ARTHUR H., Deputy Chief Smithfield PD (RET.), died Sunday at home. He was the husband of Joyce A. (Moran) Williams.

A lifelong resident of Smithfield, he was the son of the late Asahel and Florence (Ogden) Williams.

Mr. Williams served with the Smithfield Police Dept for 26 1/2 years, retiring as Deputy Chief in 1992, during that time he also served as acting chief in the late 1980’s. He was a member of the Smithfield FOP, Smithfield Sportman’s Club and former member of the Lodge of Elks.

He was the father of Tina M. Lawton and her husband, David, Kimberly A. Williams all of Smithfield and the late Lynda and Crystal Williams. Grandfather of Mia Joi Williams, brother of David E. Williams of Glocester, Florence N. Vickers of Lincoln, and the late Harold A. Williams. He also leaves a loving extended family.

His funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the TUCKER-QUINN Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Avenue (Rt. 44), Greenville. Visitation Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Smithfield Fire and Rescue, 607 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828.

Published by The Providence Journal on Nov. 21, 2005.