78 of 22A Victory Street, Cumberland entered into rest on April 8th. He was the widower of Barbara Jean (Swanson) Yankee. Born in Franklin, Ma. He was the son of the late William F. Yankee Sr. and the late Dorothy (McMorrow) Yankee.
He joined the Army at age 19, taking his basic training in Fort Knox, KY in 1950 and served in Korea as part of the Infantry. Joe was a Training Sergeant, was wounded and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. Leaving the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Joe was a commercial truck driver for over 20 years with Bakers & Commodities. He was currently employed by CVS as a forklift operator. He was awarded the Outstanding Older Worker of 2007 for the State of RI.
As past president of the Blackstone Valley Community Service, he enjoyed staying active by bowling, playing horseshoes and spending time with his large family. He coached The Fiberglass Girls leading them to a Class B AAA Championship in 1969. He also lead the American Universal Insurance Co girls softball team to the Class B Division Champs in 1988.
He is survived by 9 children, Ginger Soucie, Gerald Yankee Sr. and Francis Yankee of Cumberland, Paul Yankee & Karl Yankee of Lincoln, Joseph Yankee Jr. of Warwick and Jo Ann Clark, Brenda Barrette and Ivy Gray of Augusta, GA. 30 grandchildren and 28 Great grandchildren also survive him. He was the brother of Gerald Yankee of Melbourne; FL. Charles Yankee Sr. of No Attleboro, MA and Betty Rupert of Cumberland, RI and the late William Yankee Sr., Paul Yankee Sr., Francis Yankee and Muriel Falciano.
A Memorial service will be held for Joseph and Barbara on Saturday, April 11th at noon at the Keefe Funeral Home Five Higginson Ave, Lincoln. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to The Cumberland Lincoln Boys Club, McKee Way, Cumberland RI 02864 in Joe’s memory.
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78 of 22A Victory Street, Cumberland entered into rest on April 8th. He was the widower of Barbara Jean (Swanson) Yankee. Born in Franklin, Ma. He was the son of the late William F. Yankee Sr. and the late Dorothy (McMorrow) Yankee.
He joined the Army at age 19, taking his basic training in Fort Knox, KY in 1950 and served in Korea as part of the Infantry. Joe was a Training Sergeant, was wounded and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. Leaving the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Joe was a commercial truck driver for over 20 years with Bakers & Commodities. He was currently employed by CVS as a forklift operator. He was awarded the Outstanding Older Worker of 2007 for the State of RI.
As past president of the Blackstone Valley Community Service, he enjoyed staying active by bowling, playing horseshoes and spending time with his large family. He coached The Fiberglass Girls leading them to a Class B AAA Championship in 1969. He also lead the American Universal Insurance Co girls softball team to the Class B Division Champs in 1988.
He is survived by 9 children, Ginger Soucie, Gerald Yankee Sr. and Francis Yankee of Cumberland, Paul Yankee & Karl Yankee of Lincoln, Joseph Yankee Jr. of Warwick and Jo Ann Clark, Brenda Barrette and Ivy Gray of Augusta, GA. 30 grandchildren and 28 Great grandchildren also survive him. He was the brother of Gerald Yankee of Melbourne; FL. Charles Yankee Sr. of No Attleboro, MA and Betty Rupert of Cumberland, RI and the late William Yankee Sr., Paul Yankee Sr., Francis Yankee and Muriel Falciano.
A Memorial service will be held for Joseph and Barbara on Saturday, April 11th at noon at the Keefe Funeral Home Five Higginson Ave, Lincoln. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to The Cumberland Lincoln Boys Club, McKee Way, Cumberland RI 02864 in Joe’s memory.
