Robert A. Tagliaferri

Robert A. Tagliaferri, 90, of Cranston, passed away on January 1, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Sturiale) Tagliaferri. Born in Providence on February 26, 1935, he was the son of the late Paolo and Zelinda (Fantozzi) Tagliaferri, and the brother of the late Vincent and Paul Tagliaferri. 

Robert was the proud son of Italian immigrants, and throughout his life, he enjoyed the cultural and religious traditions of his Italian American heritage. He grew up in the Silver Lake section of Cranston/Providence and maintained a lifelong connection to the neighborhood he loved. 

Among his many achievements, Robert was proud of his military service in the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Army from 1955 - 1957. 

Robert was deeply committed to Catholic education, and for 20 years he and his wife, Barbara, actively participated in the PTO of St. Mary’s School in Cranston. The enterprising group of parents planned and implemented fundraising events, promoted enrollment, introduced innovative curriculum and founded a nursery school. The PTO members established lifelong, deep-rooted friends that withstood the test of time. 

For over 30 years, Robert was employed as a Food Broker with General Foods Corporation. He traveled throughout New England negotiating the sale of grocery products in a highly competitive market. He retired from the trade at age 57, and enjoyed over 30 years of retirement, establishing a number of small businesses, managing his properties, traveling worldwide, and spending quality time with his family. 

Robert will always be remembered for his gregarious and warm temperament, his tireless energy, his inquisitive and positive personality, and his pursuit of the American Dream. He was always gracious, kind and respectful to others. He took seriously his role as husband, father and protector of his family, and throughout his long life, never abandoned these attributes. He was wise, thoughtful, generous, good-natured and good humored. 

Robert was the loving father of Robin M. Tagliaferri and Paul J. Tagliaferri of Cranston, RI and Robert A. Tagliaferri Jr. and his wife, Sadie, of Brownfield, ME; the grandfather of Olivia Tagliaferri-Noll and her husband, Brian; Alicia Phetsaynhakoth and her husband, Austin; Nicholas Tagliaferri, Jake Tagliaferri and Jaxon Tagliaferri; and the great-grandfather of Luca Noll and Callan Noll. 

Robert’s family is especially grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Providence VA Medical Center Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program for the exceptional, comprehensive healthcare enjoyed by Robert over the course of several years.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 8am until 9am in the "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence. Burial will take place at St. Ann Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are greatly appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com.

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