Henry L. Polichetti

World War II veteran Henry Polichetti passed away peacefully at home Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the age of 110.  A loving dad, grandfather and great grandfather, he was surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Eleanor (Fazzi) Polichetti, his beloved partner for 62 years.

Henry worked for decades as the Personnel Director for the former Trifari Jewelry Company in East Providence. 

He was the proud son of Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Maria (Vestuto) Polichetti and grew up in the Federal Hill section of Providence. He signed up to join the U.S. Navy right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served for four years as a radio instructor teaching countless young radiomen the latest in radio direction-finding and early LORAN navigation. Because of his teaching responsibilities he was stationed at various Navy bases across the country but was never assigned to a ship, causing him to joke that he was “the sailor who never went to sea.”

A child of the Great Depression, he was a consummate storyteller and loved to share the tales of his rich life with generations of family and friends. Shortly before he turned 100, he got his first computer and began writing his memoirs. Henry will always be cherished and his stories treasured.

He was the brother of the late Anthony Polichetti, Vincent Polichetti, Anna (Polichetti) Madonna and Louise (Polichetti) Colagiovanni. He is survived by his two daughters, Eleanor “Lea” (Polichetti) Emby and Barbara Polichetti-Riza; his two sons-in-law, William Emby and James Riza; his granddaughter Nicole (Emby) Monaco and her husband Greg Monaco; and great-grandchildren Thomas Henry and Mae Monaco.

His funeral will begin at 9:00 am Tuesday, August 19, from the “WOODLAWN” Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Mark Church, 9 Garden Court, Cranston. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITATION will be Monday, August 18, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm in the Woodlawn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Henry’s memory to the charity of your choice.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Henry L. Polichetti, please visit our Tree Store.