WEBSTER – Robert A. Rainha, 73, died Thursday, August 29, 2013 in UMass/Memorial Healthcare, Worcester. His wife, Judith A. (Denham) Rainha, died in 1994.
He leaves 8 children, Tammy L. Michael, Robert P. Rainha, Sharon L. Rochette and her husband Richard, and Barbara A. Perreault and her husband Andy, all of Webster, and Arthur J. Mansfield and his wife Tracey of Putnam, CT, Sherri Duncan of Northborough, Robert Cresswell, and Michelle Riedy and her husband Ron all of Fort Worth TX; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Philip Rainha of Colchester, CT; a sister, Donna Vizzo of Northborough; nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter Theresa Tryba in 2011.
He was born in Worcester, the oldest child of Carlo and Alice (Caponi) Rainha. He grew up in Marlborough, lived in Worcester and moved to Webster over 40 years ago.
He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam era, serving on the USS Forrestal, an aircraft carrier.
Mr. Rainha repaired and restored cars, did construction projects and worked at Omnitech Corp. in Dudley, rertiring in 2005.
He was a ham radio operator using the CB call sign “Winchester.” He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 11, in Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will perform the military honors. There are no calling hours. Donations in his name may be made to the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, Veterans Way, Webster, MA 01570. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.