GIFFORD, JAMES I. "SAM",
JR., 86, passed away on May 27, 2012 after a brief illness. He was the husband
of the late June (Soderberg) Gifford and a son of the late James I. Gifford, Sr.
and Florence (Blomster) Gifford. He is survived by his daughters: Judith Gifford
Preston (Christopher T. Rafferty) and Jane Gifford Treat (Taylor Rowe Treat);
five grandchildren: Ronald James Preston (Kerri Turgeon), Ashley E. Preston
(Jason Yager), Matthew W. Preston, Andrew R. Treat, and Dana E. Treat; and three
great-grandchildren: Amanda June Preston, Cole A. Preston, and Kayla E. Yager.
He was predeceased by his brother Fred B. Gifford. Sam graduated as salutatorian
from East Providence High School, Class of 1943. Upon graduation he served in
the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Radioman 2nd Class aboard the LST 223. He
then graduated from Rhode Island State College (now University of Rhode Island)
in 1950 where he was a 1st Lt. in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and a
brother of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America,
he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and years later presented his Eagle pin to
his grandson, Andrew. Sam became a CPA and partner in Christiansen and Company
of Woonsocket which later merged with Ernst and Young before retiring in 1986.
Sam was active in the Rhode Island Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
serving as treasurer for 16 years; member of the American Legion Stark-Parker
Post #21, East Providence, and more recently Auburn Post #20, Cranston; a member
of the Squantum Association since 1983; a sixty-year member of Pioneer Lodge
#506 of the Vasa Order of America; and a lifelong member of Newman
Congregational Church. He loved vacationing at the beach with his family, but
his greatest pleasure was simply spending time with his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren and could always be found cheering them on by the rink,
field, or court.