Stephen Francis Rice, 73, of Lake Worth, Florida died Sunday, June 8, 2014 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester after a sudden illness. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Perkins) Rice for 34 years.
Born in Milford on July 27, 1940, he was the son of the late Peter E. and Irene (DeLorey) Rice Rebecchi and the stepson of the late Charles G. Rebecchi.
Mr. Rice was a resident of Lake Worth for the past 17 years and formerly resided in Milford and Blackstone. He grew up in Medway and graduated from Medway High School in 1958.
Mr. Rice proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and aboard the USS Enterprise; which was the first nuclear task force to circumnavigate around the world.
Before his retirement, he worked as a journeyman machine operator at the Foster-Forbes Glass Co. in Milford for many years.
Mr. Rice was an active member of the VFW Post 5335 and the American Legion Post 164, both in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Stephanie Caragianis of Portsmouth, RI and Jennifer Ames and her husband Scott of Marshfield, a son Peter Rice and his wife Elissa of North Attleboro and six grandchildren, Kristina and Samantha Caragianis, Madison and Matthew Ames, and Ariana and Brayden Rice.
He is also survived by two sisters, Patricia Davis and her husband Murray of Franklin, Diane Rebecchi of San Jose, CA, two brothers, John Rice and his wife Judy of Franklin, Charles Rebecchi and his wife Marie of Whitinsville and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Kathleen (Rice) Donovan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, June 13 from 4 - 6 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen’s memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.