Mr. Frank D. “Sabu” Puniello, 93, of Richmond Street, Bristol, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at Rhode Island Hospital. A lifelong resident of Bristol and who lived at his home on Richmond Street, built by his father, his entire life, was a son of the late Carmine and Anna (Zampini) Puniello.

A graduate of Colt Memorial High School, Bristol, he was a standout football player and a member of the Colt High School state championship team. Following his war service, he played semi-professional football for the former Bristol Colts and was active in the Bristol Men’s Softball League as a team sponsor and part of the old Boccia Club Team in the 1950s. He was inducted into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.

Sabu served his country as a Seaman First Class in World War II in the U.S. Navy with the “Seabee’s,” receiving European-African Middle Eastern Theatre Medal, the American Theatre Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a carpenter for the Raytheon Corporation in Portsmouth for over 30 years. He previously owned and operated the Puniello Construction Company.

An active member of the Bristol Volunteer Fire Department, he was a life member of both the Ever Ready Engine & Hose Co. No. 2 and Engine 4.

A communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, he attended Mass at St. Mary’s Church and St. Domenic’s Church in Swansea, Mass., on a regular basis. He was a member of the LaBella Sicilia Society of Bristol and a longtime member of the Cup Defender Association. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and a volunteer for many years at the Columban Fathers Summer Bazaar.

Sabu enjoyed fishing, boating, bowling, card playing with friends, clamboils and bakes, traveling, lying in the sun tanning and spending time at Colt State Park.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Tancy Puniello, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Dominick (Philomena), Nicholas (Ann), Mary D., John and Felix Puniello.  

Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, are Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State St., Bristol. Immediately following the Mass, Committal Prayers and Military Honors will take place on the Bristol Town Common across from the church. Burial will be private in the R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, R.I.  Visitation will be Saturday morning only starting at 8:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Memorial & Welfare Committee of the Bristol Fire Dept., P.O. Box 775, or to the Columban Fathers Retirement Center, P.O. Box 65, both Bristol, RI 02809.  For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com